Terrific Scientific Summer Camps 2016 {$25 Discount Code}

We've been enjoying the STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) summer camps that Terrific Scientific Summer Camps offer for two years. Our daughter eagerly anticipates this summer camp each year. You can read about our daughters weeks learning and exploring with Terrific Scientific here and here.  Right now they are offering a $25 discount with the code MOMS$2016. 

This year they are offering 35 summer camps including: Environmental science, programming, digital arts, chemistry, biology, veterinary medicine, robotics, forensics, video game creation, food science, technology, paleontology, engineering,  astronomy, marine biology and special effects.

Follow this link and sign your little ones up for an amazing summer time experience. 

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Kids Keep Creating with YOXO Toys

It's TV trance face. You know - when your kiddo's eyes glaze over and pupils dilate to allow as much TV in as possible. Ugh, I hate TV trance face - but many times it's a necessary evil when looking for a quick fix to keep them entertained while I get dinner ready, or try to - God forbid - go to the bathroom alone. I tried the unique looking YOXO toys in an attempt to avoid TV trance face, but keep the kids entertained and playing independently while using their imaginations.

At first I wasn't sure how much of a hit they would be, they didn't have a power button and seemed relatively simple - but the simplicity of the toy is where it's beauty lies. The toy requires the child to engage with it, not the other way around. We had the two two-year-olds and my six-year-old at the table. I did have to initially show them how the pieces fit together, but after a quick how-to they were off and creating. Before I knew it they were having races to see who could build the tallest, the widest, the one with the most circles - and the google eye stickers were a hit. I liked that the pieces were easy to pick up and that if you did step on one it didn't send you through the roof. That night I was able to get our baked chicken and potatoes on the table without too many interruptions. 

If you're looking for parent-child interaction there are several instructions that can be followed to create the robot, dragon fly and several other creations. YOXO toys are neat because you can use every day items around the house as your expansion pack, string, paper towel rolls, a cereal box - all these items can be incorporated for play. I also loved that they were made in the USA - a badge that can be hard to come across in any form of toy. The two-year-olds (who are closer to three) did quite well with them, but my six-year-old really took off with them. YOXO has won several awards including the 2014 Creative Play of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine, and was a Gold Winner in the National Parenting Publications Awards.  It's a gift I plan to buy for our next birthday party and you can pick up YOXO at Target, the kits we used cost around $20.

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Full STEAM Ahead with Terrific Scientific and Art Adventures Summer Camps {Coupon Code}

{Scroll to the bottom for $25 off coupon code!} 

We may just be recovering from our Southern #SNOWPOCALYPSE 2015, but it's already time to start thinking about selecting summer camps for the kiddos. Personally, I'm ready to welcome the warmth and sun back! Last year we sent our 5 year old daughter to a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) camp with Terrific Scientific and Art Adventures and it made a long lasting positive impression on all of us. She couldn't stop talking about what she learned and is thrilled to go back again this year. The program got her thinking, asking questions and truly engaged and excited about science. They offered a fun and educational experience for kids ages 4-15 in the Charlotte area. This summer they have 30 different weekly classes running from June 15th until August 14th at three different locations close to you:

1. Bethany Church 4301 Beluah Church Rd Weddington, NC 28104
2. United Faith Christian Academy 8617 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277
3. The British International School of Charlotte 7000 Endhaven Lane Charlotte, NC 28277

The summer camp options range from fun things like 'I'm a Movie Maker', 'Future Physician', 'RPG Video Game Maker', 'Robot Builder', 'Robot Developer', 'All Things (Potter) Magical & Mystical', 'Adventures in Cartooning' and many more. Click here to check out all the camps for Terrific Scientific and Art Adventures.

Bonus news mama- we're offering a $25 off coupon to our readers for each registration when you use the code MOMS15! 

In addition to awesome summer camps, beginning this fall, Terrific Scientific and Art Adventures will offer after school science, technology and art enrichment classes, host birthday parties and can add excitement to organized play dates or group events. Check out all they have to offer on the Terrific Scientific and Art Adventures websites, or keep up to date by liking them on their Facebook page.

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STEM Summer Camp at Club Scientific

We're several weeks into summer vacation and I'm beginning to hear the whispers of boredom from my 5 year old. 'What are we going to do TODAAAY Mom??' Apparently my fire juggling act from yesterday is going to be a tough one to top... In my search for an experience that was equal parts fun, excitement and education I came across a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) camp provided by South Charlotte Club Scientific. 

Club Scientific is a hands-on, minds-on, challenging science program for girls and boys (ages 4-14) that lays the foundation for creative minds and problem solvers of the future through art, science and engineering.  They believe that every child is a scientist and that they can make children even better scientists! The themes of the camp make ME want to enroll -Jr. Video Game Maker, Little Scientist, Robotics, Jurassic and Little Scientist just to name a few. Why didn't they have this kind of stuff when I was little?? Your budding scientists will carry out experiments, engage in team activities and see just how science works in the real world. Club Scientific's camp Directors are highly trained college graduates assisted by currently enrolled college students that have been trained by Club Scientific, and have a max 9:1 student counselor ratio. All counselors also have had background checks (yes - I AM that paranoid mama that had to inquire).
  

Lucky for us last minute moms - they still have spots available for their camps running the weeks of 7/28, 8/4 and 8/11. South Charlotte Club Scientific is located at the British American School of Charlotte in Ballantyne, near the intersection of 521 and 485. Camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm with the options for before and after care.

Even bigger bonus? When I spoke with the owner she offered a $25 coupon code for all MomAboutCharlotte.com and MomFavorites.com readers with the code: MOMMIES14 at registration! I love me some coupons.

I'm a scientist by trade, and I feel that involving your children in the STEM's at an early age and throughout their lives helps them build confidence, develop critical thinking and enjoy learning about their world. This camp may spark the imagination of YOUR future scientist or engineer! 

You can check out summer camps at South Charlotte Club Scientific here, 'like' their facebook here, or give them a call at 704-566-9001.  

British American School of Charlotte
7000 Enhaven Lane, Charlotte NC 28277 - See more at: http://www.southcharlotte.clubscientific.com/campLocations.php#sthash.DVUwbC9a.dpuf

Club Scientific is providing a camp experience for us to facilitate another blog about the experience at Club Scientific, but as always all opinions are my own.

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Bricks 4 Kidz - Beyond Lego Play

When are Legos more than just bricks? When they are Bricks 4 Kidz!

My 5 year old S and her 7 year old cousin J, joined Laura Porretta at a Bricks 4 Kidz "Amusement Park" themed camp in Harrisburg, North Carolina. This wasn't the first time that I had heard about this program, but prior to trying out the camp I thought to myself "It's just playing with Legos, and S has Legos at home - why would I pay to send her to a program to play when she can do the same thing at home?"

What I learned from talking with Laura and watching the kids at the camp, is that Bricks 4 Kidz isn't just about play - they are teaching valuable skills sets - especially those that help kids get excited about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Kids are put into teams and have to construct a project with another child they might not know, allowing them to use social interaction, teamwork, cooperation, and interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. To build the project they need to count how many pieces of each Lego they need, and match each piece to the instructions. They have to follow the instructions step by step incorporating sequencing and organization skills. They connect the small and large Legos helping with their fine motor skills. When they run into trouble - which they will - they use their problem solving and reasoning skills to find a fix and get back on track to finish the project. The teamwork and the determination of the kids was infectious - I wanted to jump in and start building myself!

The kids built a swing the day I was there observing, and the swing was motorized - it's not the ho-hum Legos from the 80's! They used a battery pack to bring their creation to swinging life - and the kids were thrilled. After the children had completed the basic project, many didn't want to stop there. They decided to customize it and add extra seats or make it a double swing. It was really fun to watch their imaginations run wild and use the skills they were learning (without realizing they were learning).

Bricks 4 Kidz offers programs for kids of all ages 18 months - 12 years. They offer them for after school, pre-school, field trips, camps and birthday parties. As a mom and scientist (and lover of the STEM) I was really impressed with the program and all the ways it helps kids learn and grow. S really enjoyed the experience and we plan to enroll her in an after school program to help her develop those important skills, all while having fun. Laura and the folks at Bricks 4 Kidz will be hosting programs all around the North Charlotte area including Harrisburg, Concord, Huntersville, Cornelius and Mooresville. You can check out their website by clicking here or visit their facebook page by clicking here for updates. Cost is about $12 for an hour after school class. 

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