Maker Mobile Workshops for elementary schools

Grade: K to 2
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

This workshop introduces its participants to biology. There will be interactive demonstrations on a range of topics, from life-sized mammalian skulls to understanding the difference between herbivores and carnivores. Hands-on investigation of the physical characteristics of these specimens allows participants to understand how these animals survive in their respective communities. In the second part, participants use Bee-Bots to learn more about animals living in different ecosystems and the life cycle of animals.

Grade: JK to 1
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Discover the five senses and how they interact with one another to give us an image of the world around us. Participants will investigate their five senses through interactive activities.

Grade: 4 to 5
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

This workshop focuses on introducing children to the fascinating world of light, sound, and waves. The concepts of refraction, incidence angle, and critical angle are demonstrated by passing laser light through different mediums. The study of sound is also introduced with a dynamic activity on vibrations.

Grade: JK to 1
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

In this fun, interactive workshop, participants discover three different kinds of energy: light, heat, and sound. Through hands-on activities and experiments, they learn how energy is used in everyday life!

Grade: 2 to 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

The human body demystified! Through demonstrations and interactive discussions, participants discover the different organ systems that work together to make our body function. They then use little programmable robots, called Ozobots, to understand how the digestive and circulatory systems work.

Grade: 5 to 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

How much do you really know about electricity? Electricity is one of the most important resources of our time and yet many of us still don’t know how it works. Through interactive demonstrations and activities, participants will discover how electricity can be created and controlled to suit our everyday needs.  Participants will build their very own circuits.

Grade: 6 to 8
Duration: 60 minutes
Format:  Classroom

In this workshop, students will apply concepts of simple machines, statics, and principles of energy and momentum into the design of a swinging pirate ship. Students will get the opportunity to expand their knowledge on simple machines, energy conservation, gear ratio and principles of structural design in an experimental lens. They will test different builds to get an intuitive understanding of the aforementioned topics.

Grade: 2 to 8
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Chemistry is everywhere! Come discover the mystifying world of molecules and atoms. New concepts are taught through a series of fun chemical reactions. The interactive experiments performed will reflect the grade level of the participants.

Grade: 4 to 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Using Scratch, participants code a program to calculate the area of any shape they have learned about in class. This fun activity teaches basic programming concepts, including sequence, concurrent, repeating, and conditional events.  

Note: Laptops or Chromebooks are required for this activity.

Grade: 2 to 3
Duration: 45 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Participants learn about various Canadian coins and bills and how to add them. They solve problems and use basic coding principles (e.g. sequential events) to code a path to reach a specific amount of money.

Note: Laptops or Chromebooks are required for this activity.

Grade: K to 2
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

Shapes are all around us! Learning about shapes helps us to understand the world better. In this workshop, students explore some basic shapes and what makes them special. They get the opportunity to code a robot, the MatataLab, to draw various shapes. Kindergarten students will explore the connection between coding and art. Grade 1 students will explore the concepts of directions and locations, while grade 2 students will use geometrical properties to code their shapes.

Grade: 7 to 8
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

In this workshop, students will practice their coding and mathematic skills using Scratch. Participants will create a story that predicts the probability of snow tomorrow. They will explore coding concepts like sequencing, concurrency, repetition, and conditional events while gaining a deeper understanding of mathematical probability concepts.   

Note: Laptops or Chromebooks are required for this activity.

Grade: 4 to 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

In this workshop, students will practice their coding and mathematic skills using Scratch. Participants will create a story that predicts the probability of snow tomorrow. They will explore coding concepts like sequencing, concurrency, repetition, and conditional events while gaining a deeper understanding of mathematical probability concepts.   

Note: Laptops or Chromebooks are required for this activity.

Grade: 1 to 3
Duration: 40 to 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Participants learn to program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively.

Note: For the online workshop, an app must be installed on an iPad or downloaded on a computer. Chromebooks may be used for this workshop. For in class workshops, we will bring iPads to the classroom.

Grade: 4 to 8
Duration: 45 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

In this interactive workshop, participants learn basic coding concepts and create their own game using a virtual micro:bit microcontroller, which is a small board, half the size of a credit card, containing a microprocessor, accelerometer, sensors, a display of 25 LEDs and two programmable buttons. It is currently used around the world to encourage children to become actively involved in writing software and building new things.

Note: Chromebooks or laptops are required for this workshop.

Grade: 4 to 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Participants learn to program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn basic programming concepts and how to solve problems and express themselves creatively.

Note: Scratch is an online program. Chromebooks or laptops are required for this workshop.

Grade: K to 2
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

Bee-Bot is an award-winning programmable robot that is perfect for teaching orientation, sequencing, estimation, and programming to young children. Participants will learn to program their Bee-Bot to make its way through a maze.

Grade: 5 to 9
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this workshop, students will embark on the exciting journey of programming a self-driving car using K8 robot, each controlled by a micro:bit. After exploring the world of autonomous vehicles, they will design their own path and master the art of guiding the robot along it using the line follower function. Along the way, students will be introduced to fundamental programming concepts like if/else statements and variables, ensuring an engaging and fun hands-on learning experience!

Grade: 5 to 9
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this workshop, students will learn about the collision detection systems in automobiles using K8 robots, each controlled by a micro:bit. They will embark on an exploration of autonomous vehicles, learning key concepts like Automatic Emergency Braking and Echolocation. Throughout the workshop, students will be introduced to fundamental programming concepts like if/else statements, enabling them to code different instructions based on whether the K8 robot is in close proximity of an object to avoid a collision!

Grade: 3 to 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this hands-on workshop, students will engage in a creative maze challenge, constructing their own complex mazes, and programming Sphero Minis, small spherical robots, to navigate their opponent's creations. Students will apply the basics of coding as well as kinematic concepts to efficiently complete each task. The first to finish line... wins!

Grade: 5 to 8
Duration: 60 to 75 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this workshop, students will explore the world of autonomous vehicles and delve into the importance of automated headlights and new advances in the technology. Using Sphero RVR robots, participants will be introduced to fundamental coding concepts, including If/Else statements, functions, forever loops, and comparators. This hands-on experience will empower students with valuable skills into the world of automation and cutting-edge technology.

Note: For this activity, we need to be able to adjust the lighting in the room so that it can be dark.

Grade: 5 to 8
Duration: 60 to 75 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this workshop, students will learn about the world of autonomous vehicles and gain insights into the significance of Safe Supply Transportation by understanding how to automate a delivery service using basic programming concepts. With the help of a Sphero RVR, they will embark on the ultimate challenge of creating the fastest and most efficient route for delivering items from point A to point B, while avoiding obstacles.

Grade: JK to 4
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this hands-on workshop, students will explore the world of autonomous vehicles, grasp essential programming concepts, and learn to code a “smart car.” Their mission: find the most efficient route from one location to the other in the city. Using Sphero BOLTs and iPads, students will embark on this exciting coding adventure.

Grade: 2 to 12
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Format: Online or Classroom

This interactive workshop introduces 3D printing, its functionality and applications. In small groups, you will have the opportunity to create your own 3D model using TinkerCAD, a user-friendly 3D modelling software. Using 3D printers, you’ll also be able to turn your design into reality!

• During a 1-hour workshop, your students will have the opportunity to design in TinkerCAD.
• During a 2-hour workshop, not only will your students design their model but they will also get the opportunity to 3D print their design.

Grades 2 to 6 will learn how to build a house.

Grade: 5 to 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Classroom

In this workshop, students will dive into CoSpaces to design and code a 3D virtual reality experience of our solar system. The challenge is to build an engaging simulation complete with informational panels, educating others about the unique characteristics of each planet in our solar system.

During a 1 hour workshop, your students will have the opportunity to design the solar system in CoSpaces. During a 2 hour workshop, they will also get the opportunity to test out the VR headsets.

Note: If your school has laptops or chromebooks for your students, please let us know ahead of time.

Grade: 4 to 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Online or Classroom

Participants discover the science of global climate change through unique and innovative games and activities. They then explore the implications of this global issue and discuss how climate change will affect them. Participants will also build and race solar-powered cars!

Maximum 30 participants per workshop

Requests for workshop cancellations must be submitted in writing at least three business days prior to the scheduled workshop date. Cancellations left on voicemail will not be accepted. If a cancellation is made less than three business days before the scheduled workshop date, a $50 cancellation fee will be charged.

In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, the fee will not be charged. Workshops will be rescheduled at a later date.

• Teachers must always remain in the classroom and will be required to complete a short evaluation at the end of the workshop.
• The classroom or laboratory must have at least two electrical outlets
• A projector is required
• Wi-Fi access is required (please have the password ready for our instructors)
• For 3D printing workshops, we will need a table, near power outlets, on which to install our three 3D printers

Teachers must always remain in the meeting and will be required to complete a short evaluation at the end of the workshop.