STEM@Home for Families and Youth

OSU Precollege Programs launches a series of FREE virtual STEM @Home webinars for families (and general public). A series of presentations by OSU students, staff and partners will provide college connections and cover STEM content based on curricular materials developed through our programs and in collaboration with researchers and partners.

As a response to targeted COVID-19 pandemic initiatives, our distance education efforts aligns with the Oregon Department of Education’s new 20-21 Comprehensive Distance Learning Guidance.

JOIN us in a series of virtual zoom webinar sessions. Follow along live or watch the session recording on-demand!

For Who? Families and Youth (and the general public)

How Long? 1 hour

When? Tuesdays, October 6th - Dec 15th, 2020 between 2-4pm PST (*unless otherwise noted on Google calendar)

Thursdays, October 8th - Dec 17th, 2020 between 2-4pm PST (*unless otherwise noted on Google calendar)

Where? Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here.

STEM@Home Fall 2020 at a Glance

October 6th @ 2PM - Build a Data Sculpture (All Grade Levels)

Build A Data Sculpture | The STEM@Home Series

Build A Data Structure

Presenter: Dr. Adam Talamantes, Program Coordinator, OSU Precollege Programs.
Grade Level: All
Build a Data Sculpture: the idea of playing with data is new to most folks. This activity will lets you quickly explore with fun and creative ways to tell stories that matter with data. Come and build a sculpture that tells a simple data story with craft materials. Original lesson created by Data Culture Project.
Materials and Resources
Materials List (Optional): Crafting materials (plastic bottle tops, wire, fuzzy balls, colored paper, wood blocks, construction paper), tape, glue, scissors (No materials for writing, and no Legos!)
Key Tip: If you want to challenge your creativity, try completing this activity using only non-consumable household supplies (e.g. plates, cups, forks, bags, etc.)
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here

October 8th @ 3PM - What are Data Stories? And What Would You do “If"?

What Are Data Stories? And What Would You Do “If”? | The STEM@Home Series

What are Data Stories? And What Would You do “If"?

Presenter: Dr. Adam Talamantes, Program Coordinator, OSU Precollege Programs.
Grade Level: All levels
What are data stories? And what would you do “if”? Let’s learn about data stories and the “what would we do if activity?” coming up on 10/22/2020. Original lesson created by Data Culture Project.
Materials List (Optional): We will be doing the analysis and telling funny stories live!
- Complete the grade level Google form to help tell our story!
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here
Another cool data activity!

October 13th @ 2PM - Living the STEAM Dream – What’s it Like to Work as a Creative Information and Communications Technologist

Living the STEAM Dream | The STEM@Home Series

Living the STEAM Dream

Presenter: Victor Villegas, Technology and Media Support Coordinator, OSU Extension Computing Technology.
Grade Level: All
Living the STEAM Dream: Victor will share his work with drones and technology in integration to the arts. He will show us what’s it like to work as a creative information and communications technologist
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here

October 15th @ 11AM - What Forces Move Water Around the Globe?

What Forces Move Water Around the Globe? | The STEM@Home Series

What Forces Move Water Around the Globe?

Presenter: Dr. Shawn Rowe, Associate Professor, Oregon Sea Grant Free-Choice Learning Lab and College of Education
Grade level: All
What forces move water around the globe? Dr. Rowe will demonstrate the three forces (wind, temperature and salinity) that cause global ocean circulation with hands-on activities anyone can do at home with household items.
Materials list: Wind - clear plastic bin to hold water, items that will sink (marbles, pebbles, etc.), items that will float (bits of plastic confetti, etc), drinking straw; Temperature - Plastic tub or a fish tank at least 1.5 gallons, white paper, tape, styrofoam or paper cups, two thumbtacks, two binder clips (optional), water, ice, red and blue food coloring; Salinity - Small plastic water or soda bottles with labels removed, a playing card or small piece of plastic, fresh water and salted water, food coloring.
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here

October 20th @ 2PM - Chemistry: Make Your Own Homemade Lava Lamps!

Chemistry: Make Your Own Homemade Lava Lamps! | The STEM@Home Series

Chemistry: Make Your Own Homemade Lava Lamps!

Presenter: Sonia Nair, BioHealth Sciences Student & Grace Scuderi, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Student.
Grade Level: Upper Elementary School - Middle School
Chemistry: Make Your Own Homemade Lava Lamps! All are welcome to join! In this session, we will be making DIY lava lamps and learn about the chemical processes and reactions associated with the experiment. All materials needed are listed below. We look forward to seeing you there!
Materials List: Alka-Seltzer, Food Coloring, Vegetable Oil, Water, Erlenmeyer Flask or Empty Water Bottle (clear preferable)
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here

October 22nd @ 3PM - Data Stories: What Would We Do “If”?

Presenter: Dr. Adam Talamantes, Program Coordinator, OSU Precollege Programs.
Grade Level: All Levesl
Data Stories: What would we do “if”? : Let’s create some data and tell stories about ourselves. Complete the survey in the google form before attending. These are grade level specific. We will use this data to highlight our connections, interests, and to tell cool stories about what we would do “if”. Original lesson created by Data Culture Project.
Materials List (Optional): We will be doing the analysis and telling funny stories live!
- Please see the video from 10/8/2020 to prepare for this activity!
- Complete the grade level google form to help tell our story!
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here
Another cool data activity!

Recorded webinar session will be shared here within a week after live presentation.

October 27th @ 3PM - Thinking Like a Scientist: Knowing vs. Observing

Presenter: Dr. Shawn Rowe, Associate Professor, Oregon Sea Grant Free-Choice Learning Lab and College of Education
Grade level: All
Thinking like a scientist: Knowing vs. observing Dr. Rowe will do a 30-minute interactive demonstration about the role of knowing and observation in scientific investigations. Participants can do the activity along with him.
Materials list: Two clear glasses or plastic cups, food coloring, fresh water, salted water, and ice cubes.
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here

Recorded webinar session will be shared here within a week after live presentation.

October 29th @ 3PM - iINVENT: Make a Mask (Middle School Level)

Presenter: Dr. Adam Talamantes, Program Coordinator, OSU Precollege Programs.
Grade Level: All
iINVENT: Make a Mask: Let’s create a mask, or cloth face covering, using Human-Centered Design! You will need to have household supplies ready to build and test your invention.
Materials List (Optional): Household Items, Cloth, String/Rubber band, things that can be used as a filter.
- Click here to complete the survey to help us think about a “user” for your mask! We will look over the results in our session!
Zoom Webinar - Link available in our Google calendar here