MTU to host after school science and engineering classes
HOUGHTON — Keweenaw-area students who have an interest in science and engineering are being given a chance to take a hands on approach to some extracurricular activities. Michigan Tech is hosting three upcoming after school classes covering biology, aerospace and computer technologies.
Animals, rockets and the cyber world are the selected subjects for the course.
“We always make our classes very hands on because after a long day at school, students are kind of tired. We’re not trying to fill them with information but to really engage them in science,” said Joanne Chadde of the Science and Engineering Department at Michigan Tech.
Classes start January 22nd at the Great Lakes Research Center and run until February 28th.
Where 1st and 2nd graders will learn about animal habitats and how different species interact with each other and the environment, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students get to build and test rockets and learn about the physical characteristics of lift and propulsion. Middle school students will be building web sites and databases while applying their newly acquired knowledge to solve ecology problems.
“In the class we’ll also be looking at real world data and collecting real world data with gas units and solving a bunch of different natural resource problems. We’ll be looking at certain invasive species that have been originating in the Midwest and where they might go so that land managers and scientists can better direct their interests and their studies in those areas,” said Brian Doughty, also from MTU’s Science and Engineering Department.
These hands on explorations are taught by MTU science and engineering students who will be returning from break within the next week.
“Students an of course their parents and guardians who are interested in having the kids attend, they can contact the Center for Science and Environmental Outreach at Michigan Tech. The kids have a lot of fun and we have lots of returning students so we hope to see some new ones as well,” said Chadde.
Registration and more information can be found HERE.