To celebrate Kid Inventors Day this week, we've rounded up a list of opportunities for young people — we like to call them Future Innovators — to get involved with art, science, and tech in the Greater Boston area. From a LEGO Batmobile hackathon to a skyscraper challenge, there's something for every budding artist or aspiring scientist.
Family Design Day: Skyscraper Challenge
"Boston, home to the Hancock and Prudential towers, is taking steps to elevate the city’s skyline. But how tall can architects and engineers actually build? Learn more about the architecture, science, and art behind what keeps the world’s tallest buildings standing and then, using a kit of parts, design and build your own skyscraper."
Ages: Parents and children aged five to 13 years old
When: Saturday, January 19, 10:30 AM — 12:30 PM
Where: Boston Society of Architects/AIA, 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
Cost: $2-$10
Learn more here
Idea Hub
"Explore topics in design and engineering with artistic circuits, 3D printing, chain reactions, and a variety of other hands-on making and tinkering topics. Drop in each week and try out one of our many activities."
Ages: 12+
When: January 19-20, 26-27, 12:00 PM — 4:00 PM
Where: MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Building N51, Cambridge, MA 0213
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
LEGO Batmobile/Robotics Build and Hackathon
"Kids will spend an epic day building, driving, and then hacking LEGO Power Up Batmobiles with LEGO WEDO2.0 robotics kits. The stock Power Up Batmobile is app controlled and the kid will drive (with a Chromebook) and navigate several obstacle courses. Later in the day we will hack the Batmobiles with LEGO WEDO2.0 robotics controllers and sensors with the goal of programming them drive navigate autonomously. Yeah! Self driving cars!"
Ages: Grades 3-8
When: Monday, January 21, 9:00 AM — 3:00 PM
Where: Champman Farm School, 74 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA 02061
Cost: $95 (designed for 3rd-8th graders)
Learn more here
Play Date: Delving into Movement
"Kids rule the ICA the last Saturday of every month, when the museum fills up with fun, creative, and even zany activities for kids and adults to do together. Investigate making art and movement by exploring William Forsythe’s Choreographic Objects and creating drawings inspired by actions and poses."
Ages: 12 and under
When: Saturday, January 26, 10:00 AM — 4:00 PM
Where: ICA Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, MA 02210
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
STEM Saturday – How Do Sharks Swim?
"Build a joystick to survey how sharks swim during this free drop-in program. Use the very latest technology to survey sharks at this month’s free STEM Saturday workshop. Participants build a sensorized joystick using cardboard and copper tape and use it to view 3-D rotations of digital shark models. Using a microcontroller, participants will connect the joystick to Excel so they can gather real-time data on the shark’s movement while driving it through a virtual marine environment."
Ages: K-12
When: Saturday, January 26, 1:00 PM — 2:00 PM
Where: Microsoft - Prudential Center, 800 Boylston Street, Suite 27, Boston, MA 02199-7016
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
Makerspace Mondays
"Design, build and invent! The possibilities are endless when you combine creativity with all our new makerspace has to offer! This session: Introduction to Tinkercad!"
Ages: 9-12
When: Monday, February 4, 4:00 PM — 5:30 PM
Where: Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton, MA 02459
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
Girls Day: Architecture
"Every November and March, the MIT Museum celebrates women in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Visitors can expect to explore, create, and investigate with scientists from many local universities. Hands-on activities, informal talks, and demonstrations are included with admission."
Ages: 10+
When: Saturday, March 23, 11:00 AM — 4:00 PM
Where: MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Building N51, Cambridge, MA 02139
Cost: FREE
Learn more here
