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Little Engineers Hands-On STEM Enrichment Program at San Diego Air & Space Museum!
February 5, 2020 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Little Engineers is a hands-on STEM enrichment program that introduces children to science and engineering through creativity and fun. Our child-centered classes build school-ready skills by encouraging observation, communication, and problem solving.
Each session lasts four weeks and is designed for children ages 3-5 with accompanying adult.
Times:
Wednesday 9-10 AM
OR
NEW! Saturday 9:30-10:30 AM
Price (4 classes per session):
$75 – non-member
$65 – active military
NEW! $55 for members
Register your child here!
2019-2020 Schedule
Fun with Forces
Join us as we experiment with all kinds of pushes and pulls: gravity, friction, magnetism, and so much more!
Wed: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25
Sat: Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28
Space: Our Greatest Adventure
Galaxies, asteroids, and rocketships, oh my! Dive into our new exhibit, Space: Our Greatest Adventure, and launch your learning out of this world.
Wed: Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23
Sat: Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26
Museum Explorers
Who knew history could be so much fun? Travel back in time as we follow the advances in engineering that have made transportation bigger, better, and faster.
Wed: Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20
Sat: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23
Bursting with Energy
What do rocket fuel, wind mills, and light bulbs have in common? So much energy! This month we’ll explore different types of energy and use them to power up our creations.
Wed: Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29
Sat: Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25
Where in the World
Calling all explorers! Little Engineers take on the big, wide world as we become experts in geography and navigation (and maybe a treasure map, or two).
Wed: Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26
Sat: Feb. 8, 15, 22, 29
Simple Machines
Time to tinker with wheels and wedges, investigate planes and pulleys, and experiment with screws and levers as we learn how simple machines make work easier.
Wed: Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25
Sat: Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28
Storybook Science
Our most popular session is back for more adventures in the science and engineering behind your favorite tall tales.
Wed: Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22
Sat: Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25
Adventures in Aviation
Are you ready to earn your wings? The sky is the limit as we experiment with objects that float, fly, and sometimes fall.
Wed: May 6, 13, 20, 27
Sat: May 9, 16, 23, 30
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the Wednesday and Saturday classes?
Just a later start time and a different day. The activities will be the same, so there’s no need to register for both classes, and we ask that you only attend your enrolled day.
Are we only going to learn about planes?
Not at all! While we love aviation, Little Engineers encourages children to ask questions about the world around them, and find the science and engineering in their everyday lives.
My child is bright and chatty/shy and methodical/full of energy/not reading yet/reading at a third grade level. Will they be a good fit for this program?
Absolutely. Our lesson plans are highly flexible and child-driven, and all activities are easily adapted to any ability level. Most importantly, our main goal is to have fun!
What does a typical class look like?
Our classes are capped to ensure individualized attention, and will usually start with group circle time to introduce the day’s topic. We’ll then give a brief tour of the activity stations and the rest of class is free exploration, before we come back together briefly to discuss what we learned. We find that some students move quickly between all of the stations, some focus on one or two for the whole hour, some are trying to make friends, and some simply prefer their own company; we’re experienced engaging all types of learners and offer a variety of different projects each day to appeal to a range of ages and interests.
Will we explore the museum?
As much as possible, we try to integrate the museum into our learning environment. Some classes will take place entirely within an exhibit space, some will focus on building and experimenting in the classroom, and often we’ll use parts of the museum for inspiration for our learning that day. You and your child are also welcome to stay after class to visit our main galleries and extend your explorations.
Who will be teaching the class?
Ms. Jamie has over ten years of experience in early childhood education, but she still wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. She loves roller coasters, puppies, and her favorite planet is Mars.
Ms. Sophie used to work with elephants, but figured out that teaching smaller mammals was a lot more fun. She loves silly questions, the SR-71 Blackbird, and making a really big mess.
Ms. Mia is an aspiring chef and a cat mom, but spends most of her time as a teacher. She loves singing, hiking, and learning everything she can about insects.
Still have more questions?
Contact us here