Spring break can be both a relieving and stressful experience for parents. While a break is always nice to have extra time with the kids, sometimes you need a little intermission. Take a moment to breathe while your child is out expressing themselves in a hands-on workshop. While they’re applying STEM and art skills, you’ll be able to head out for a quiet lunch or take some time to read that book you’ve been eyeing up. It’ll be a relaxing, entertaining time out for you both.
Laser Cutting 101
Carnegie Science Center, March 15
You’ve probably seen laser cutting on the side of your favorite drinking glass. This Laser Cutting 101 course is for ages 8 and up and teaches how to use the 40W laser. Your child will learn to safely cut and etch their own designs to create a memorable souvenir.
Carnegie Lab
Carnegie Museum of Art, March 16
For all the art-loving kids out there, the Carnegie Lab gives them the opportunity to experiment with new artistic techniques and refine their skills. These hands-on and sensory activities take inspiration from the exhibitions in the museum to give a little art history lesson in the process. Let your little one’s creative mind fly and see what they bring home each time.
MakeLab: Metal Flowers
MuseumLab, March 17
Flowers are beautiful, but they don’t stay alive forever. However, your child has the opportunity to make a flower that lasts a lifetime. Using foil, wire, decorative edge scissors, and pliers, each kid will get to create their favorite flower in metal form or make up an entirely new variety of their own.
Free FLOW
Carnegie Science Center, March 15 and 22
Ages 8 and older can explore all the facilities of the Fab Lab to work on different creative projects. Here they are able to apply skills they’ve learned in previous workshops or pick up new skills to make something to take home. They may choose to make a 3D-printed figure or just test out new technology.
Maker Mondays
Carnegie Science Center, March 18 and 25
Here’s another chance to check out Carnegie Science Center’s Fab Lab with guided workshops every Monday. You never know what each week will bring. You could make customizable vinyl stickers, code with programmable quadcopter drones, or experiment with laser-cut gliders.
Blender 101
Carnegie Science Center, March 22
Blender is a 3D sculpting program that allows users to create games, models, and much more. Your child’s imagination is the limit after they discover the basics during this course. They’ll learn to create organic shapes, then animate and render them using Blender’s computer animation tools.
Looking for more fun this March? Check out our events page for all the latest happenings in Pittsburgh.
Story by Kylie Thomas
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