Needham Community Education

In this class, you’ll be diving into the hidden blueprints of the universe, from the microscopic code inside a strawberry to the physics of a flying marshmallow. Throughout the week, you will become a master of systems. You’ll manipulate the elements, crack secret codes, and engineer machines that defy gravity. If you like to get your hands dirty, solve mysteries, and build things that actually work, you’ll be in the right place. Our goal will be to understand exactly how the world is built—and then use that collective knowledge to create something truly epic. 

Activities might include...

Day 1 | Earth Systems: Manufacture a cloud in a jar, simulate soil erosion forces, and "farm" your own crystalline structures.

Day 2 | Bio-Coding: Perform a strawberry DNA heist, master data encoding, and crack secret cryptographic ciphers.

Day 3 | Fluid Dynamics: Engineer liquid density towers, manipulate pH levels, and build kinetic lava lamps to see chemistry in motion.

Day 4 | The Human Machine: Analyze your "engine" by testing lung capacity, heart rate, and reaction time mechanics.

Day 5 | Ballistics & Flight: Design high-velocity marshmallow catapults and optimize aerodynamic flyers to defy gravity.

Instructor: Sam Lee, Special Education Instructional Assistant, Broadmeadow Elementary