High School

Mechanical Advantage is a FIRST Tech. Challenge robotics team comprised of high school students. The team provides hands-on robotics demonstrations to attendees at community events. The team's robots are no more than 18" cubed and can operated from a table top and on the ground (i.e., driven) depending on available space. The team has operated from both a 10' x 10' and 10' x 20' booth at past Expo Events. The team's past participation has been sponsored by companies like Cox Communications.

We will have a series of activities realted to DNA. We would like to be in the Park in the Park area with most likely the same set up. This year, I thought it could be an interesting idea to bring in some of our partners to have space in our area. I will follow-up as we get more information.

Don't miss the ABC 10News Experience, a hands-on opportunity for kids to see how television news is created and what it is like to be a reporter or anchor. Learn how graphics are made, try your hand reading scripts, see being on camera comes together in a news story, weather report or breaking news. Meet some of the ABC 10News Anchors, Reporters and Meteorologists who do this every day!

We will have a DNA isolation activity so students can learn about DNA Extraction.

Student and staff representatives will showcase their interactive Exhibition design challenge that focuses on an environmental issue in California. The students will engage the audience in a recyclable sorting game, as well as present their proposals and prototypes on how to combat the environmental issue. The presentation will demonstrate the Design Thinking process.

Pipette Art: Participants will learn how to use the micro pipette to measure liquids in 50ul to 100ul increments, and learn the importance of this technique in science labs. Multiple liquid samples will be colored by food coloring. They can either measure unto laminated plates or filter paper to make artful patterns which they could take home as bookmarks.

We will have an interactive activity around origami to introduce families to the intersection of STEAM and paper folding, and we will also be bringing our floor loom which anyone can use to learn how to weave! We do what we call 'wabi sabi' weaving which means beauty in imperfection- it is a very fun and engaging activity and we have all of the supplies.

How do molecules get made? The CSOE has scientists at Scripps and UCSD who are working on using electrochemistry/battery technology to make molecules. We'd like to demonstrate this cutting-edge technology using color-changing reactions in IKA Electrosyn instruments and discuss the work we are doing at the center. We'll have volunteer scientists staffing the booth, and stickers and temporary tattoos to give away.