Gopher STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math)
Discovering and Inspiring though hands-on Learning
About us:
We are a small education and entertainment company located in Woodbury, Minnesota that specializes in STEAM activities and presentations. (STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math)
I have been involved in science education for nearly 30 years. I started by startling unsuspecting high school students with hydrogen balloons with the chemistry outreach program run by Alpha Chi Sigma at Kansas State University and at the University of Minnesota. After graduate school I decided to continue with science education and accepted a position as Operations Director and senior instructor at Mad Science of MN, a first class provider of STEM education and entertainment. For the next 15 years I had a blast developing and presenting shows, workshops, activity booths, summer camps and even birthday parties. In 2011 I finished my licensures in science and started teaching chemistry, physics and mentoring FIRST robotics at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis. Currently I am having a blast teaching physics at Tartan High School in Oakdale and running Gopher STEAM so I can go out and have some science fun with your family or organization.
What we do:
Simply put, we bring STEAM education and entertainment to you! We provide a variety of interactive science presentations and events where kids can experience the wonder of discovery first hand.
Our interactive shows are perfect for all ages and for groups of twenty to a thousand. They are perfect for schools wanting to get their students excited for their STEM fair. As a scout leader, Cub Scout Pack meetings are my favorite and we do provide a discount to ANY scouting organization. An interactive show is ideal for library summer programs. We currently offer two shows, Science is Magic and Crazy Colin's Air Show. We have two more shows based on chemistry and physics in the works. We also can customize shows to be flame free for libraries and other venues that require it. If you want to extend the learning, add on one of our hands-on activity tables below.
Activity tables provide a short and fun hands-on STEAM experience. Many of our tables involve kids making something that they take home to continue exploring and learning. Add an activity table at the end of one of our interactive shows or schedule several for your STEM fair. Activity tables include, slime, putty, catapults, parachutes, wind tube, robots, ultraviolet beads and more.
Check out all our activity station options:
Science Nights & STEAM Saturdays:
A science night or a STEAM Saturday is a comprehensive solution for when you need to STEAM up a crowd. A combination of one or more interactive shows and four or more activity tables will allow you energize your school or organization at a discounted price.
Birthday Parties:
With a couple tweaks our Science is Magic becomes a fantastic birthday party. Birthday parties include a 30 to 40 minute presentation and every party person will get to take home a make-&-take activity.
I have several hands on STEAM classes at the moment including, Build-a-Bot (LEGO robotics), Rocket Launch, Big Bubbles, Dino Dig and Bug Me. Many of our classes work at the preschool and elementary school age level. The rocket and robot workshops are fun for middle school as well. I have two classes designed to earn BSA merit badges, Robotics and Space Exploration. I will soon be adding Astronomy, Signals and Codes, Chemistry and others. I am always working on my next class so ask about what is new.
Discover the STEAM we can bring to your class.
Summer Camps:
STEAM power your summer with our summer camps. Take your imagination to new heights as you learn all about spaceflight, Newton's laws and aerospace engineering by building model rockets with Mr. Kilbane. Learn how robotics is changing our world as you build and program LEGO robots to take on real world challenges. You will even build your own kit robot to take home!
After School programs
Real Robots Middleton Elementary (Tuesdays Oct 1,8,22,9, Nov 12,19,26 & Dec 3)
I like Robots and I can not lie! Come build and program some real robots with Mr. Kilbane, a veteran FIRST robotics mentor and hands-on STEM specialist. We will learn about the stranger than science fiction history of robotics and build your own OWI robot to take home. For advanced robotics we will use Lego Mindstorms robotics kits to explore the world of robotics through hands-on experience. Team up and build your robot, add the sensors and then use scratch programming to take on a real world challenge. This class is designed for ages 8 and up.
Register with 833 Community Education Here
Crazy Colin’s Super Science Middleton Elementary (Fridays Oct 4,11,25, Nov 1,8,15,22 & Dec 6)
It is time for some science! Veteran teacher and STEM specialist Crazy Colin Kilbane will take you on a tour through some of your favorite fields of science. Build and launch your own rocket. Dig for dinosaurs and learn what makes T-rex a theropod. Discover the strange sea life that lives in the midnight zone. You will be shocked to learn how static electricity works. Learn how to bug people by explaining the difference between arachnids, insects and isopods. Explore our solar system and design your own planet. Learn how bubbles work as you look out from inside a giant bubble.
You can fill out our contact form below and we will get back to you.
You can also choose to be added to our mailing list for updates on new programs, information about free events from Gopher STEAM and links to other STEM events in the area.
To bring some STEAM to your home, library or school please email me at colinkilbane@gophersteam.com.
You can also call me at (612) 424-0898.
I am often out teaching STEAM stuff so if you don't get through please leave me a message and I'll call you back ASAP.