On November 4, 2017 the Flonomics team participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado STEM Day. The event took place at Ibotta, an app company located in Downtown Denver, and consisted of various STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities for Littles to participate in.

As Littles made their way around to the various tables, they got to learn about science, technology, engineering and math topics that they might not see in school. Our team organized two tables, showcasing rocket power and electronics & manufacturing.

Rocket Power

While at the rocket power table, Littles learned about propulsion through the expansion of gas. Each assembled a “rocket” (an empty film canister with a straw taped to its side). Next, they placed the rocket on a string and then added the “rocket fuel” (water and Alka Seltzer (™) tablets). Once the cap of the “rocket” was placed tightly on, the rocket propelled forward – sometimes reaching fifteen feet. The experiment was repeated two more times and a quarter was taped to the rocket each time. The distance traveled was then measured after each experiment, showing the relationship between weight and force needed to travel.

Electronics & Manufacturing

At our electronics & manufacturing table, Littles got to experience the art of soldering, a fundamental operation used in manufacturing electronics such as your cell phones, automotive electronics, and even jewelry. During this project the Littles learned how to solder basic device connections. They soldered components onto a circuit board in a specific order and orientation to create a light-up bug!

Kelsey Gibbons, Marketing Manager at Flonomics, described her experience working at the rocket power table. “It was so fun to see all the Littles focused and interested in our activity. A few of the kids even experimented with the rocket power on their own while playing at our table. Seeing their wheels turning while they asked questions and learned was a gift.”

To find out more about the event, visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Facebook Page.