Grade School

Hands-on activities for families

We will have science activities aimed at elementary school and up.

The San Diego River is teeming with life, from 4 foot tall herons to microscopic algae. We invite you to learn from River Park Foundation scientists how the organisms that live in the river can unlock secrets about the San Diego River’s health! Look at real aquatic bugs, play games, and learn about places to explore nature along the San Diego River.

Two groups from University of California-Irvine will explore concepts of light using fun, take-home activities such as our popular Spectrobox, kaleidoscopes, and optical illusion demos! In addition, we will be exhibiting a newly developed game that explores atomic structure from the point of view of an atom!

Enrichment program for elementary and middle school

Get closer to science! Guests will be able to explore ocean and earth science through conversation and hands-on activities! Join Birch Aquarium to discover some of the amazing things that go on below the surface of the ocean, on the beach, and sometimes in your own backyard.

Students will build origami boats of varying levels of complexity and attempt to make the boats float in a tub of water. We will provide additional materials (e.g. Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, etc.) to challenge kids to propel their boats from one end of the tub to the other. Participants can also choose to race against one another.

Air Vortex Cannon is a device that fires doughnut-shaped air vortexes, which called, toroidal vortexes. These vortices are completed transparent, because they are air; and can travel several meters before falling apart. We plan to make vortex cannon by using solo cups and water bottles. The materials we are going to use are solo cups, water bottles, balloons and rubber bands. This is a video that demonstrates the activity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpscMWoompw The video shows how to make vortex cannons. However, instead of using tapes, we plan to use balloons and rubber bands.

Did you know that wetlands are found worldwide and are among the richest habitats, just as rich as a tropical rainforest? Meet scientists from the Tijuana Estuary, discover wetland critters, play with a mudflat, see what kind of science wetland biologists do, and discover why wetlands are important for YOU and for wildlife.

STEM is part of an initiative the Boy Scouts of America has taken on to encourage the natural curiosity of youth members and their sense of wonder about these fields through existing programs. From archery to welding, Scouts can't help but enjoy the wide range of STEM-related activities.