Trades Science Program
Hands-on STEAM Experiences Connecting Science to Skilled Trades at The Edgerton Explorit Center
Trades Science demonstration and labs offered as part of the summer library programming at The Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora, Nebraska. Additional Trades Science curriculum and programming will be available for the fall.
Air Works | Grades: K – 8th
Air Works is a high-energy Trades Science demonstration for all ages that explores how air pressure and airflow power real-world trades tools and systems. Participants experiment with hands-on activities that show how air lifts, pushes, and moves—connecting simple science to construction, manufacturing, and technical careers. The demonstration ends with an exciting ping pong ball cannon, putting air power on full display.
These are the hands-on labs we are offering for the library program.
News Paper Towers | Grades K and up
25 – 35min
Construction and engineering meet competition in this hands-on lab. Students compete against each other to build the tallest free stand tower out newspapers and tape. Not enough planning and your tower comes crashing down. Built too strong and you may not be the tallest. It’s a race against time and height.
HVAC | Grades 2nd and up
25 – 35min
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are very important factors in our everyday lives. In this lab, students will run their own HVAC ducking through a floor plan to supply a room. The challenge, have no leaks and make the fan spin at the other end.
Crane Builders | Grades 3rd and up
30 – 45min
Electricity meets engineering in this hands-on lab. Students will be challenged to first build their simple electromagnet to pick up objects. But the fun continues as they build and connect the magnet to a crane. This is an easy way to see multiple systems working together to complete one goal!
Good Foundations | Grades 2nd and up
30 – 45min
A solid foundation is a must when it comes to building, but will it hold when an earthquake hits? Students will be challenged to build what they believe is a strong structure. The question is will their structure stand the shaking of an earthquake, or will it come crashing down!
Rubber Band Racers | Grades 2nd and up
30 – 45min
Many factors go into the sport of racing, but first you need a car! This hands-on lab will walk students through the design and building steps to build a rubber band race car. The goal, be the first one to cross the finish line and be crowned the rubber band racing champion.
Click here for Ken Wortman Trades Science Program flyer
