I'm pleased to announce the start of a new STEM focused, after-school club at Blue Valley USD 384 in Randolph.  Farren Constable will be the director of this club.

A more creative name than "STEM Club" will be discussed at the first meeting -- come with ideas!

Who:  6th grade to adult. Open to anyone - no requirement to be a student at Blue Valley.  Anyone with a curiosity about how things work is welcome.  Parents are strongly encouraged to stick around and participate.  The younger your students, the more strongly this is encouraged!  Homeschoolers are very welcome.

What:   A mostly self-directed, self-discovery, self-learning environment (guided and assisted by adults) focusing on science and technology but certainly not excluding the arts.  At each meeting I plan to have a teaching time, a show-and-tell time, and a group discussion time.  The majority of each meeting will be open time for self-directed work.  If you're working on something, bring it! Show it off and get help/advice. 

When:  Once a month on a Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00.  Come and go as you please.  The teaching time will start around 2:00.  Which Saturday will be a topic of discussion at the first meeting.

Where:  The Blue Valley High School Agriculture building in Randolph.  The school has a fantastic wood and metal shop, and the club will have access to some of this "maker-space" equipment after receiving some training.  The shop also has two good 3D printers that we'll have access to.  If requested, a map and directions will be sent out to those who RSVP to the email address below.

Why:  Electronics, making, computers, robotics, milling, welding, audio, video, radio, programming, astronomy, drones, 3D printing, micro-controllers, photography, rocketry, Arduino, meteorology, animation, information technology, microscopy, soldering, music, multi-media, seismography, simulations, CAD/CAM, green-screens, etc. etc. etc.  What do you want to learn more about?  What do you want to make? Curiosity is not included -- you need to supply that.  We'll do our best to satisfy your curiosity!

How:  Up for discussion at the first meeting.  Fund raising will be a part of the club activities. I have some ideas.....

And, speaking of the first meeting, it's currently planned for January 21.  If you have any interest at all, I strongly encourage you to attend the first meeting as it will be a "planning the future" meeting.  I do have some fun stuff planned for the first meeting as well.

If you have a laptop that you can bring to the first meeting, please do so.  Blue Valley students should bring their school Chromebook.

If you plan to attend the first meeting, please email Tech@USD384.org and tell me how may people will be attending.

If you want to receive future updates and notifications, even if you won't be attending initially, please email Tech@USD384.org and you'll be put on an email list specific to the club.  In the future I won't be broadcasting/advertising on general emails lists.

If you have any comments or questions or want to offer assistance, please email Tech@USD384.org.