FREE! Pasadena City College (PCC) presents STEM Saturdays - hands-on fun experiments in a college classroom for high school students with Laser Technology (2/22), Astronomy and Physics (3/1), Biology (3/8), Mathematical Science (3/15), Geoscience (5/10), and Chemistry (5/31).
Note that some of the activities are the same as previous STEM Saturday events.
Activities include:
Laser Technology (2/22): Investigate your cell phone display to learn how colors mix to make all the colors of the rainbow. Learn how to measure and balance primary colors of laser light to create your favorite color. Bring your cell phone or another small device with a screen. Your measurements will be used to learn the science of spectroscopy, and how it can be applied to identify chemicals. [note: this is a repeat activity from previous Laser Technology STEM Saturday events if you attended before].
Astronomy and Physics (3/1): Come learn about black holes, some of the most fascinating objects in the Universe! These bend the fabric of the Universe so much that not even light itself can escape them, and if you get too close to one, your body will be spaghettified into a tube 1 atom thick. The coolest part is that they really exist in outer space! We’ll discuss Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, participate in a hands-on interactive activity to explore spacetime, and brainstorm how to observe astrophysical black holes, including the supermassive black hole at the center of our own galaxy. We will also discuss career pathways in physics, astrophysics, and astronomy! [Note: this is a repeat activity from a previous physics STEM Saturday if you have attended in the past.]
Biology (3/8): Join PCC’s own biology professors and Biology Club for a morning filled with experiments and information about what it’s like to be a biology major! Students will investigate the human respiratory system, experiment with the body form and function of marine plankton, and chat with a panel of enthusiastic PCC biology students who will share their experiences in college. If you’ve previously attended a Biology STEM Saturday, the experiments are all new events. We’ll see you there!
Mathematical Science (3/15): Join us for an AI Symposium that will focus on AI and its impact, featuring a panel of experts from diverse backgrounds.
Geoscience (5/10): See firsthand some of the diverse fossils extracted from ancient sedimentary rocks. Learn about important evolutionary transitions revealed by the extensive and detailed fossil record. Prepare and identify some mollusk fossils that you can take home with you. Also spend time outside and learn how to operate a research drone to collect geographic data while you tour PCC.
Chemistry (5/31): Come explore some chemicals and how they react with each other to create exciting results! You will learn about different types of chemical reactions and see cool color changes. You will get hands-on experience and use observational skills to see how different chemicals react to give a variety of products. You will learn how to record qualitative data. [note: this is a repeat activity from previous Chemistry STEM Saturday events if you attended before]
This FREE EVENT is for high school students (one parent/guardian per student is welcome to come). There is no cost to attend but space is limited - register early! Students can register for as many Saturdays as they would like. Register for STEM Saturday on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/pcc-stem-saturday-2546269