Virtual Student Programming
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Virtual Student Programming
Our virtual programs make the Tech Interactive accessible to everyone! Whether your learners build with us in a science lab, hear from a working scientist, or take a virtual field trip through the exciting world of tech, they'll be inspired to become the problem-solvers of the future.
Virtual Science Labs
Our NGSS-aligned programs blend the best of synchronous and asynchronous learning, giving you the flexibility you need.
Virtual labs include:
- Prerecorded introduction that frames the challenge.
- One 60-minute live session, where your students will design and build under the mentoring of an experienced Tech Educator.
- Teacher and student worksheets, including engineering journal, pre-lab content activity, post-lab activities, and sharing tools.
- Challenges designed around materials found at home and the classroom.
Global Soundscapes includes:
- One 60-minute live session, where your students will watch clips of Global Soundscapes followed by activities from our Tech Educator.
- Teacher and student worksheets.
- Unlike our science labs, there is no building or materials required for this virtual activity.
How to register
Complete the form at the bottom of this page. We are asking each individual teacher to request a lab only for their own class; please ask your colleagues to fill out their own request form. Also, we require a minimum of 12 students for all our virtual experiences. Before your session, be sure to download and review our helpful guide, Optimizing your Virtual Experience.
Available dates and times
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m., 11 a.m., or 1 p.m. Pacific. Start times can begin 15 minutes before or after these times, if you need flexibility. Just ask!
September 13, 2021 - June 3, 2022
Physics of Roller Coasters
They love to ride them, now they’ll love to build them! Students explore potential and kinetic energy and apply what they learn to build their own roller coasters made of materials they have at hand. Students will:
- Demonstrate that gravity is a naturally occurring force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth.
- Describe and demonstrate the difference between potential and kinetic energy.
- Complete a given design challenge with constraints.
IMPORTANT: The live lab experience requires preparation beforehand. You must have your class watch the introductory video, brainstorm their design, and collect their materials at least 48 hours before your virtual lab is scheduled. The live, facilitated experience with our lab instructor assumes that your students have already begun the hands-on process. Our instructor will answer questions, encourage your learners to try different approaches to the challenge, and make sure they have fun while they're learning engineering! We will provide all the information you need once you sign up.
Grades: 2-8
Cost: $125; Title I funding is available
Group limit: 34 students
Down the Drain
There’s a lot of trash in the Bay’s watershed, from San Jose to the Pacific Ocean. By designing and constructing different types of storm drain grates, students discover how water systems function and how to use science and engineering to protect Earth’s natural resources. Students will:
- Describe a watershed.
- Explain why keeping trash out of the watershed is important.
- Complete a design challenge to create a storm drain to combat pollution from a specific source
IMPORTANT: The live lab experience requires preparation beforehand. You must have your class watch the introductory video, brainstorm their design, and collect materials at least 48 hours before your virtual lab is scheduled. The live, facilitated experience with our lab instructor assumes that your students have already begun the hands-on process. Our instructor will answer questions, encourage your learners to try different approaches to the challenge, and make sure they have fun while they're learning engineering! We will provide all the information you need once you sign up.
Grades: 3-8
Cost: $125; Title I funding is available
Group limit: 34 students
Global Soundscapes
Immerse yourself in the amazing sounds of our planet! This interactive multimedia experience takes you on an ear-opening journey into the science of sound and the emerging field of soundscape ecology.
Your learners will embark on a mission to investigate the dramatic soundscapes of Costa Rica’s rainforests and learn how animals use sounds to survive and communicate in lush, but threatened environments. Participants will:
- Learn about the tools that scientists use to record and analyze sounds.
- Explore basic acoustics through interactive activities and incredible slow-motion footage.
- Discover what soundscapes tell us about the health of our planet.
Grades: 1-12
Cost: $140; Title I funding is available
Group limit: 36 students
How to register
Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Due to our new virtual format, we are asking each individual teacher to request a lab only for their own class. Please ask your colleagues to fill out their own request form. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you!
Tech for Global Good Virtual Field Trip
Join us as we dive into data-driven innovation in our new Tech for Global Good Virtual Field Trip. Students will meet the 2020 Tech for Global Good Laureates – four groundbreaking STEM pros who are rethinking data technology to transform our world for the better. This free, 25-minute virtual experience is available now!
Tech for Tomorrow Virtual Field Trip
This career-focused virtual field trip takes your students on a road trip through Silicon Valley to meet some of the region’s smartest and most innovative tech experts. Viewers get a sneak peek inside some real-life medical labs, workshops and makerspaces and hear advice about how they can follow their passions to work in tech, too!
Along the way, they’ll get to experience some of our favorite exhibits and make the connection between what we do here and the exciting work of tech engineers and entrepreneurs.
New! Book a Biologist
In this FREE virtual experience, an expert guest speaker will engage with your middle or high school students for 45-60 minutes. We offer two types of sessions:
Meet a Scientist: This session is informal and conversational. The Biologist will give a 5-10 minute presentation about who they are, including a bit about their personal history, path into science, current work, and career goals. The rest of the session will be an open Q&A from students.
Research Presentation: In this type of session, the Biologist will give a 20-minute presentation about their current work and studies, giving students a sneak peek into cutting-edge research. The rest of the session will be an open Q&A from students.
The biologists are volunteer graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from Stanford, primarily from the Genetics Department, who are interested in engaging with youth about science. Please note that as sessions are dependent on Biologist availability, we are not able to accommodate all special requests. We require a minimum of 12 students to book a virtual visit.
What do we ask in return for you engaging with this free program? Easy! Just fill out a survey afterward to help us guide the program’s direction for the future. Priority will be given to underserved schools in the greater Bay Area region.