HiTech Carnival Information

Sponsors

• Community Foundation of Howard County
• Friends & Foundation of HCLS

Howard County Library System’s HiTech Virtual STEAM Carnival is virtual this year! This fun and hands-on event, for students in grades K-12, features five tracks of engaging and interactive activities, each with a different focus. Register for one track, then pick up your carnival-in-a-bag and get started! Activities can be completed individually and in conjunction with virtual classes.

More information about curbside pickup and links to the kickoff, virtual classes, and celebration emailed to registrants the week of October 12.

Registrants have 5 tracks to select from:

Track A (K-2 Grade) – The Team Discovery bag contains activities around the science of tornadoes, the technology of online learning, the engineering around airplanes, the art of rainbows, the math of glow in the dark, and STEM fact cards. Each activity comes with a lesson plan and instructions on how to watch an online lesson.
Link to register for Track A (K-2 Grade)

Track B (3-5 Grade) – The Team Explorer bag contains activities around the science of tornadoes, the technology of wigglebots, the engineering of things in flight, the technology and use of watercolors, the math and engineering around balloon powered cars, the art of rainbows, the math of glow in the dark, and STEM fact cards . Each activity comes with a lesson plan and instructions.
Link to register for Track B (3-5 Grade)

Track 1 (Middle and High School) – The Team Gamer bag contains activities around discovering the science of golf, using Jeroo as a technology of choice, learning the engineering and construction of carnival games, creating art using vector tools and application and understanding the math and engineering behind and through Origami. Each activity comes with instructions and an online lesson. Registering for this track also gives access to free virtual math tutoring on Wednesdays and three Saturday classes to get help on projects. Compete against Team Ferris and Team Robotics to earn points!
Link to register forTrack 1 (Middle and High School)

Track 2 (Middle and High School) – The Team Ferris bag contains activities around the science behind atomic shapes, the technology of 3D, the engineering and construction of Ferris wheels, the art of mosaics, and the engineering behind and through Origami. Each activity comes with instructions and an online lesson. Registering for this track also gives access to free virtual math tutoring on Wednesdays and three Saturday classes to get help on projects. Compete against Team Gamer and Team Robotics to earn points!
Link to register for Track 2 (Middle and High School)

Track 3 (Middle and High School) – The Team Robotics bag contains activities around the science and problem solving of anatomy, the technology of a Python Escape room and building a working hydraulic arm, the art of using vector tools and application, and the math and engineering behind and through Origami. Each activity comes with instructions and an online lesson. Registering for this track also gives access to free virtual math tutoring on Wednesdays and three Saturday classes to get help on projects. Compete against Team Gamer and Team Ferris to earn points!
Link to register for Track 3 (Middle and High School)

To receive your bag, indicate during registration which branch you would like to pick up your bag. Register with an email address to receive updates, including information regarding Saturday drop-in sessions for help with carnival projects.

Click on the teams below to see a list of activities for that group.

Important dates:

• Oct 5: Registration begins
• Oct 18: Curbside pickup of bags
  
  • If you were unable to pick up your bag last Sunday, we have good news - you can pick up your Carnival-in-a-Bag this week Tuesday through Thursday from 10 am - 6pm.
    • Go to the branch you selected during registration. You do not need an appointment.
    • When you arrive, please call the branch to let them know you are there, and the first and last name of the student picking up the bag.
    • The branch will place your Carnival in a Bag on a table in the lobby for you to pick up.
  • Please note that bags will no longer available for pick up on Sunday, October 25. If you are unable pick up your bag before Thursday, October 22 at 6 pm, please email [email protected] to let us know if you are still interested in the HCLS HiTech Virtual Carnival festivities! Otherwise, your bag may be given to a student on the waiting list. Also, if you no longer wish to participate in the Carnival, please email [email protected] and we will remove you from the participant list.
• Oct 24: Carnival kickoff
• Oct 28 – Nov 18: Asynchronous and synchronous carnival classes and activities

Carnival Registration:

• To register for one of the tracks, go to the HCLS Classes and Events Calendar
• Please note, there is only one registration per student. If a student is registered for more than 1 track, your second registration will be cancelled.
• Please note upon registration:
  • The dates for carnival in a bag pick up are: October 18th and October 25th between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • You will not need an appointment top pick up your bag on the dates and times above.
  • Once you pick up your carnival in bag , we request that you NOT open or take the items out of your bag until the Kick off on October 24th.

Carnival Leaderboard “Let the Games Begin”:

• In addition to each bag having individual activities, when students complete their activities, post their progress, watch the videos on the projects, attend a math tutoring session, or attend the weekend class –they are earning points for their team. The team points will be captured on a leaderboard so each team can see how it is progressing against another team in learning about STEAM.
• The elementary school students points will go toward their star color Blue, Yellow and Green with green being the optimum color.
• The middle and high school teams will have a leaderboard that shows points earned by all their activities and posted projects from the Carnival in a Bag