The
Science Bus
The Science Bus is an after-school science curriculum for 2nd through 5th grade children at the East Palo Alto Charter School (EPACS), a great school in a low-income part of the
We welcome
any member of the Stanford Community who has knowledge of science and an
interest in teaching to join us and make a
difference in the lives of promising young students. Lessons take place on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, from 4:30 to 5:30.
Current Activities
Winter 2009 - Science Olympics
The theme for this years Science Olympics is "Medieval Ages". The events so far include using basic materials (wood, hay, moss, string) that would have been available during the medieval ages to house an egg which will be launched from a Trebuchet currently under construction. Other events will likely include construction of a bridge from popsicle sticks, building mini catapults or trebuchets, and possibly compasses for an orienteering event. The quarter will culminate
with the olympics being held at Stanford Campus. All are welcome for this fun filled day of
competition, games, and barbeque. Please contact us if you're interested in helping
out!
Previous Activities
Fall 2008 - Myth Busters
This quarter's theme is quite broad and open for interpretation. Anything from floating kids with helium balloons to bacteria swabbing the entire classroom is fair game!
Summer 2008 - Food Science
This quarter we will be doing lessons related to the science of food. This should be fun and tasty.
Spring 2008 - Optics
We're getting a little bold and going with a potentially complicated theme this quarter. Inspired by lessons to be pilfered from the OSA group at Stanford, we will start with a lesson making telescopes and periscopes.
Winter 2008 - Science Olympics
The theme for this years Science Olympics is "Mars Invasion". The events include building a space station out of a deck
of playing cards, constructing a landing vessile that will protect an egg upon an intense impact,
assembling gliders to assist in entry, and construction of a solar powered rover. The quarter will culminate
with the olympics being held on Friday, March 21. All are welcome for this fun filled day of
competition, games, and barbeque. Please contact us if you're interested in helping
out!
Fall 2007 - Astronomy
This quarter's theme is Astronomy. This is always a fun topic with kids and lends itself to tons
of fun demos. Previous popular demos have included phases of the moon, making comets, and scale
of the solar system.
Summer 2006
Starting in August, we’re visiting the school on Wednesdays from
Fall Quarter 2005
This quarters theme is Light!! We’re visiting the school on Wednesdays (4-5th graders) and Thursdays (2-3rd graders) from