neajayr caroll altair
Ceola Roefaro
A beloved VAI Education organism has gone missing! Young scientists will put their skills to the test as they learn about the world of forensic science and try to solve this crime. Working together, students will identify clear evidence from the crime scene to return the tortoise back to its rightful home.
From webbed feet to snapping teeth, all animals are specially adapted to live in their unique enviornment. By exploring different habitats and adaptations, students use their knowledge to design a completely new animal that will thrive in a specific environment.
What effect do high and low temperatures have on the world around us? Students explore this question by heating and cooling different substances to gather evidence, examine any changes, and finally, discover whether these changes can be reversed.
The hippos are starving! In the tasty adventure, students learn the basics of coding in this fast-paced field trip where they create and execute a program that will guide their Sphero to deliver a meal to the hippos while avoiding predators and other dangers.
To better understand how wind can shape the land, students use a pile of sand and simple objects to create a barrier that prevents erosion. Students then test and perfect their designs so they can withstand hurricane force winds!
Science is all about careful observation. Using their natural senses, as well as some scientific tools, students will investigate the characteristics of plants and animals living at Van Andel Institute for Education. What can these features teach us about our extraordinary world?
Embrace the world of the small but mighty! Young architects and engineers will learn the essentials of designing small-scale, sustainable homes. They will draft blueprints and construct model tiny homes that maximize space without sacrificing style all while showcasing that good things truly come in small packages!
Get ready to roll into the world of physics as students team up to build thrilling marble ramps! Students will design, build, and test ramps that allow marbles to roll, spin, and drop. Their challenge is to create a track that (safely) transports the ball to the bottom in a pre-determined amount of time!
Bees and butterflies play a crucial role in nature by pollinating flowers. Unfortunately, the population of both is in decline, which is bad news for our environment. Students learn about these important organisms and then put their creativity to the test by creating their own hand pollinator.
This immersive field trip introduces students to the science of watersheds and their important role in human health. Students will use their knowledge and creativity to create a watershed model to demonstrate how pollution interacts with our environment and what each of us can do to keep our water clean!
Sphero needs help navigating through a maze as quickly as possible. To complete this challenge, students will need to gather data, determine the best route, and figure out how to build a block code program so Sphero can successfully navigate the maze without getting lost!
Uncover the mysteries of static electricity through a hands-on exploration of the Van de Graaff generator. Engage in dynamic activities that spark curiosity while revealing the fascinating science behind electricity, energy transfers, and static. Students will have the chance to actively participate in shocking investigations that make this mysterious force more visible.
One of the biggest challenges associated with space travel is the return to Earth. Using everyday materials, students will design, build, and test a waterproof capsule that will protect astronauts as they splashdown on Earth!
Robots are helpful machines that can be equipped to interact with the world through sensors. To better understand how robots work, students will examine Sphero robots before working with them to create a simple sensor. Finally, they will practice programming their Sphero robot to interact with the world around them.
Students dive into the science of roller coasters before designing their own marble roller coaster to observe how energy transformation works! By developing a conceptual model, students will investigate energy and work in a closed system.
Give students hands-on experience with model organisms as they learn to recognize levels of organization within plants and animals. This includes viewing cells under a microscope, extracting DNA, and talking to researchers about how these disciplines are used in research!
A catastrophe has struck Grand Rapids! An oil pipeline burst and is leaking oil into the Grand River, impacting both humans and wildlife. Students will need to use their creative and critical thinking skills to stop the leak, cleanup the oil spill, and care for the affected animals.
Professional engineers utilize shake tables to test whether buildings can withstand the seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Students will foster an engineering mindset by building their own structures and evaluate how well various designs withstand seismic activity on our shake table!
This immersive field trip introduces students to the science of watersheds and their important role in human health. They will use their knowledge and creativity to create a watershed model to demonstrate how pollution interacts with our environment and what each of us can do to keep our water clean!
Wind power has more than tripled in the last ten years, making it the largest source of renewable energy capacity in the country. Students will explore different variables of wind power and determine how to maximize the efficiency of their own turbine.
Introduce your class to the world of neurobiology as students learn how distractions slow down their reaction time. By dissecting a sheep brain, students will also learn to identify the different parts of the brain as well as their primary functions.
From webbed feet to snapping teeth, all animals are specially adapted to live in their unique enviornment. In this investigation, students learn about different habitats and adaptations. Then, they use their knowledge to design a completely new animal that will thrive in a specific habitat.
Step into the dynamic world of climate science with engaging hands-on investigations! Students will explore weather phenomena, experiment with heat absorption, unravel the mysteries of the greenhouse effect, and even create their own clouds. The adventure culminates with a call to action, as students design climate change posters to advocate for a sustainable future.
Robots are helpful machines that can be equipped to interact with the world through sensors. To better understand how robots work, students will examine Sphero robots before working with them to create a simple sensor. Finally , they will practice programming their Sphero robot to interact with the world around them.
A beloved VAI Education organism has gone missing! Luckily, the criminal left behind a mysterious powder. Utilizing physical and chemical properties, students identify the substance left behind and link it to a suspect to help bring our friendly reptile home.
Explore the stages of frog metamorphosis with Lego WeDo. In this challenge, students create and program a young frog, then observe and handle real frogs! Finally, students use their observations to transform their young Lego frog into an adult.
A massive storm has caused the widespread pollution of our drinking water! Students will explore how the earth naturally filters water, then work as a team to design and build a filter that will clean the water so it is safe to use once again.
Roll into the world of physics as students team up to build thrilling marble ramps! Students will design, build, and test ramps that allow marbles to roll, spin, and drop. Their challenge is to create a track that (safely) transports the ball to the bottom in a pre-determined amount of time!
Invisible forces are all around us! Give your students a crash course in magnetic fields with an investigative activity that will have them engineering a device that can detect magnetic properties in the objects around them.
This immersive field trip introduces students to the science of watersheds and their important role in our health. Students will use their knowledge and creativity to create a watershed model to demonstrate how pollution interacts with our environment and what each of us can do to keep our water clean!
Engineers and emergency workers need to know how to safely catch falling people (and pets) when disasters occur. Students learn the science behind force and motion as they engineer a device that can safely catch precious cargo.
Enlighten students about the profound effects of climate change on our oceans and the delicate ecosystems within. Through engaging discussions and interactive activities, students look into the rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and melting ice that threaten marine life, while exploring the crucial role oceans play in regulating climate and sustaining life on Earth.
A drug is any substance that has a physiological effect on the body. Using the model organism, Daphnia, students will assess the heartrate of the Daphnia after it has been exposed to common substances such as caffeine and alcohol.
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