STEM Destinations (mostly Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council)
STEM Museums
Math/Science Nucleus (Fremont) A non-profit organization that runs Children's Natural History Museum, Tule Ponds and Tyson Lagoon, and Fremont Earthquake Exhibit and offers a LARGE slate of Cub Scout, Webelos, and Boy Scout STEM badges. USS Hornet Museum (Alameda) Boy Scouts can earn the Aviation, Radio, or Space Exploration merit badges here. Overnight programs available. Hiller Aviation Museum (San Carlos) Boy Scouts can earn the Aviation or Weather merit badges here. Check out Aviation Camp for entering K-8 kids. Chabot Space & Science Center (Oakland) Cub Scouts can earn the Astronomy belt loop or pin, Boy Scouts can earn the Astronomy merit badge. Planetarium, observatory, theater shows, and other events. Check out Space and Science Camps for entering 3rd-7th graders. The Tech Museum of Innovation (San Jose) Interactive exhibits, educational IMAX films, monthly Young Maker workshops. Check out The Tech Science Lab for 2nd -8th graders, and The Tech Summer Camps for entering 4th-8th graders. The Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey Bay) Underwater Explorers for 8-13 year olds, Behind the Scenes tours for ages 6+, Aquarium sleepovers for ages 5+. The Exploratorium (San Francisco) Galleries focused on different aspects of scientific or artistic exploration with lots of hands-on activities. Lawrence Hall of Science (Berkeley) Planetarium, 3-D theater, interactive exhibits, and special events. Check out camp and weekend programs for kids. NASA Ames Research Center (Moffett Field) Check out the Ames Exploration Encounter for 4th-6th graders and the NASA Exploration Center. Computer History Museum (Mountain View) Self-guided tours, docent-led visits, and workshops for children in grades 3-12. Check out the Get Invested program for high school students. STEM Live Performances - Annual Events The Physics Show (semiannually in September and January, Foothill College, Los Altos Hills) "It has enough WOW factor to keep the young ones (3rd grade and below) interested. The concepts were explained and demonstrated well enough that a 4th grader could probably understand it." Bay Area Science Festival (late October to early November, various locations throughout San Francisco Bay Area) Celebrates the Bay Area’s scientific wonders, resources, and opportunities by exploring the role of science, engineering, and technology locally & in the world. STEM Live Performances - Ongoing Shows Fujitsu Planetarium (seasonal - usually winter, De Anza College, Cupertino) STEM Activities and Programs Tree Frog Treks (San Francisco) Check out the one-day camps, afterschool adventures, and summer camps for K-4 kids, and CIT camps for kids ages 14-17. Youth Science Institute (Alum Rock Park in San Jose, Sanborn Park in Saratoga, Vasona Park in Los Gatos) Check out the group programs, family science safaris, and summer camp offerings for kids in grades K-8. Summaries of Bay Area STEM Destinations Bay Area Astronomical Resources (maintained by University of California Observatories) STEM Superactivity Destinations The National Museum of Mathematics, in New York City, is currently the only museum in the country devoted exclusively to mathematics. Having opened its doors in December 2012, this young museum offers interactive exhibits, speakers, and summer day camps. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, in Washington DC, is the most visited natural history museum in the world. This museum overs an amazing virtual tour of many of its galleries. |