Dream Builders: STEAM for Middle Schoolers!

Does your middle schooler love creating? Join us for Secret Code Creations, an exciting hands-on activity where students will explore the world of binary code while creating unique, personalized keepsakes! Designed for 5th-8th graders, this session combines creativity and computer science concepts as students learn to encode messages using binary and turn them into wearable or decorative items.

Schedule:

• 9:30am-11:30am: Students will dive into the basics of binary code and learn how to translate letters and words into the 0s and 1s of digital language. Using beads, string, and other materials, they’ll create bracelets, keychains, or ornaments that represent their encoded messages. NOTE: Parents are invited to come in at 11:30 and stay a few minutes later - your child can share their creations and explain how they translated their names or secret messages into binary code. Participation is optional but highly encouraged!

What to Expect:

• Creative Challenges: Students will tackle fun coding problems, like encoding their initials, names, or secret words, and transform these into physical designs.
• Hands-On Learning: By using beads and color patterns to represent binary code, participants will get to explore coding concepts in a tactile, memorable way.
• Innovation and Teamwork: Students will brainstorm design ideas, collaborate with peers, and discover how coding can be creative and fun.

Program Goals:

• Develop an understanding of basic coding concepts and binary systems.
• Foster creativity and problem-solving through hands-on projects.
• Build confidence in STEAM subjects and inspire a love for learning.

This unique experience combines technical skills with artistic expression, helping kids see coding as both practical and imaginative—skills that can spark curiosity and confidence for years to come!

Details:

• Who: Middle schoolers (5th-8th grade) in Buffalo with an interest in STEAM.
• When: Dec 21st
• Where: The Foundry
• Cost: FREE! Thanks to a grant from Foundation 214, all middle school programs are free and accessible for our Buffalo community!

Sign-up:
Spaces are limited—enroll today! Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Transportation is not provided; students must have a way to and from the program.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Foundry, 298 Northampton Street, Buffalo, United States