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Girls in STEM Build-A-Thon 2018

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Keystone Science School is hosting our Girls in STEM: Build-A-Thon for any female student grades 3-9th grade, on Saturday, March 17th. The program is grant funded through several generous donations. You can find more information and register at the following link.

Virtual Reality Birdhouses: Girls in STEM: Build-A-Thon

Keystone Science School (KSS) has a long-standing Girls in STEM program focused on eliminating the gender gap within STEM careers. Architecture and design is just one of the many sectors dominated by men. With this goal in mind KSS is excited for a new partnership with SketchUp and Colorado Parks and Wildlife for our 2018 Girls in STEM: Build-A-Thon, on

March 17th. This Build-A-Thon will introduce girls into the world of technology and engineering design. The participants will first learn about local bird species, their needs, and human impacts on their habitats. Once girls understand bird habitat they will then design birdhouses specifically designed for a local bird species of their choosing. The most exciting component of their project is that they will be learning to use the 3D architectural software, SketchUp, to design a model of their birdhouse where they will have the opportunity to see all aspects of their house before production. Within SketchUp they can rotate the house, go inside the house, and even test out color variations before setting on the finalized design.

Another important component of this program is that the girls will be mentored and shadowed throughout the day by a wide variety of female professionals currently working within STEM careers. It’s been often described that it is a challenge to pursue careers as a female when they don’t have other women co-workers. The mentoring program helps the young girls see that women can excel in roles previously dominated by men. If you or know someone interested in serving the role of a STEM mentor for our Girls in STEM program please check out our website for more information

Student Program: Sample Schedule

10:00a                    Program Introduction & Welcome

10:15a                    Introduction to SketchUp

10:30a                    SketchUp practical lesson by SketchUp Team 

Lesson Resources to guide Design: (grades 3-4 without SketchUp in Yurt/ Taylor)

12:00a                    Lunch & Learn: Female SketchUp Presentation and Q&A   

1:00p                       Outdoor Activity: Brain Break

1:30p                       Complete SketchUp Designs, print patterns and gather materials (once approved)

2:30p                       Build Prototype: Implement SketchUp Design in MakerSpace

3:30p                       Snack and Journal Reflections

4:00p                       Prepare for Presentation

4:30p                       Parent Presentation