We’re thrilled to have received positive feedback from some of our recent school programs. The participants were tweens and teens–not the easiest audience to please! A sampling of their comments:

For our Nano program:
–“The Nano Program Rocks, Science Rocks!”
–I think it was fun when we were making designs with the string and we put out string in the bubbles.
–I LOVE IT SOOOO MUCH!

For our Animation program:
–I thought it was cool, and I would like to learn more about animation.
–This was super fun and I really liked it.  Thank you so much for doing this.
–I thought the program was really fun and enjoyed it!  I hope you come again.  I might even try animation at home!

For our Sound program:
–I thought that the sounds sounded like things were actually real!
–It was an excellent program as far as both entertainment and education goes.
–I loved it! This was such a fun program!

If you’d like more information about booking one of our outreach programs, please contact Mary Rapien at mrapien(at)rimosa(dot)org or at 401-525-1931.

The brain, biography, the history of science, neuroplasticity, Gene Kelly, hip-hop and the power of a thought fuse in Everett’s new theatre piece – BRAIN STORM – opening Friday, April 13, at 8pm at Everett Stage, 9 Duncan Avenue, Providence and running weekends through April 29.

Using current neuroscience research and personal narrative as fuel, BRAIN STORM tells the tale of the brain and how it makes us human. BRAIN STORM seamlessly blends choreography, storytelling, factual information, humor, and video projection to create a multimedia dance/theater experience that informs, entertains, and provokes thought.

We expect this piece – featuring Everett performer and RIMOSA Advisory Board member Marvin Novogrodski – to blow your mind!

Unfortunately, there’s often a lag between when scientists become aware of a new technology and when grade school students learn about it.  But thanks to an NSF funded kit produced by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISEnet) and recently awarded to the Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA), older elementary school and middle school students will not only learn about nano-scale, they will do hands-on experiments to learn more about nanotechnology!

RIMOSA will join with the Providence Community Library to offer several free nano-scale workshops during the last week of March (also known as “nano-days”).  They have worked with the Wanskuck branch to partner with the Veazie Street Elementary School, next door to the Wanskuck Library, to offer programs specifically to each of their 4^th and 5^th grade classes.  In order to augment their science offerings, the students will walk over to the library during their school day to participate in the RIMOSA workshop.  Among other activities, students will make thin films only a few hundred nanometers thick and experiment with nanostructure on butterflies.

And congratulations to Waterfire as well on being the Smarter Travel #5 nighttime experience in the WORLD (after the Aurora Borealis, Yosemite Valley seen by the light of the full moon, and the Milky Way and the galaxy viewed from the summit of Mauna Kea).  May I add that the others are wicked far from RI? (one might add civilization as a whole?)

So Kudos to RIMOSA Advisor and Waterfire artistic director and founder Barnaby Evans on creating the #1 MAN MADE nighttime experience!!!!

I agree that more students probably should increase their familiarity with STEM subjects.  But not because we need a ton more scientists (etc.)  I believe we need more people in all walks of life who are comfortable with STEM.  And I believe that we need just a few more creative and innovative individuals who will bring the next STEM breakthroughs.

That is where STEAM comes in.  STEAM is STEM with the addition of Art.  I firmly believe that Art needs to be added to STEM in order to get the creativity necessary to advance STEM fields.