Hands-On Learning

Our STEAM Activities

Four carefully designed workshops that turn kids into engineers, scientists, and creators — all in a single afternoon at your local library.

Built for Curious Kids, Ages 7–12

Every activity follows the engineering design process: plan, build, test, improve. Groups of 2–3 kids work as a team, guided by our student volunteers. All materials are provided and participation is completely free.

Build Something Real

Every kid goes home with something they made themselves.

Collect Real Data

Measure, record, and graph results like real scientists.

Iterate & Improve

Change one variable, test again — the engineering way.

Celebrate & Compete

Friendly challenges to see whose design performs the best!

Choose Your Challenge

Each workshop covers all five STEAM disciplines and is designed for small groups with a student volunteer facilitator.

Paper Airplane Launcher Challenge

Ages 8–12 60 min 2–3 per team

Build a rubber band-powered launcher that launches a paper airplane across the room. Explore potential and kinetic energy, aerodynamics, and the science of flight. Compete to see whose plane flies farthest!

Energy & Flight Rubber Band Launcher Data Collection
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Marble Maze Challenge

Ages 7–12 45–60 min 2–3 per team

Design and build your very own marble maze using cardboard, straws, and craft materials. Explore gravity, friction, and engineering design while creating a themed maze — space, jungle, candy land — that you take home!

Gravity & Friction Structural Design Creative Theming
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Balloon-Powered Art Car

Ages 7–12 45–60 min 2–3 per team

Design, decorate, and test a balloon-powered car, then race to see whose goes farthest. Learn about Newton's 3rd Law — thrust, friction, and momentum — through iterative hands-on engineering and creative car design.

Newton's 3rd Law Race & Iterate Graphing Distance
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Paper Bridge Challenge

Ages 8–12 60 min 2–3 per team

Engineer the strongest paper bridge that can hold the most weight without collapsing! Learn about structural forces — tension, compression, and load distribution — and compete to hold the most coins or washers.

Forces & Loads Civil Engineering Structural Design
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Everything Included — Always Free

The STEAM Team brings all materials and facilitators. Libraries and schools simply provide a space and eager young minds.

All Materials

Paper, cardboard, tape, rubber bands, craft sticks, balloons — everything kids need to build and create.

Student Facilitators

Enthusiastic high school volunteers who guide activities, answer questions, and keep energy high.

Lesson Plans

Fully designed activity plans with STEAM connections, safety tips, and extension challenges.

Take-Home Creations

Every kid takes home the thing they built — a marble maze, a balloon car, or a paper airplane launcher.

Ready to Host a STEAM Workshop?

We'd love to bring one of these activities to your library, school, or community organization. All workshops are free and we handle all the prep!