school year
2024/25 SCHEDULE
The Science Station offers four sessions of lab-based STEM classes for elementary (3-5th) and middle school (6-8th) students on Wednesdays during the school year. These hands-on two hour classes meet once a week for six weeks. Class size is capped at 14 students.
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IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION
We use a registration system called CAMPBRAIN which allows you to pay by MasterCard or VISA. If you are new to the system, we recommend PRE-REGISTERING by establishing a CampBrain account and completing ALL the required online forms before registration opens. For detailed pre-registration instructions click here.
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Setup your account and pre-register here:
Elementary Classes (3rd-5th grade)
Session 1: Energy Engineering $325
Experiment with thermal and solar energy to see how heat and light affect solids, liquids and gases. Investigate the efficiency of solar panels and apply the principles of thermodynamics to build your own solar oven.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23)
Session 2: Lego Physics $325
Investigate the basic laws of physics with Legos. Build a device to kick field goals, investigate friction while racing cars, harness the power of magnetism and use mechanical advantage to hoist your teacher 30 feet in the air! *No class over Thanksgiving break.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm (11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18)
Session 3: Pirate Science $340
Explore the life of a Hollywood pirate through science! Investigate the real story of eyepatches, gold coins, black powder and spyglasses. Use geocaching to find hidden treasure and learn how to navigate with the stars while applying the principles of buoyancy to keep your boat afloat!
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm (2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12)
Session 4: Animal Kingdom $350
Feed a sea anemone and pet a python! Focused on a diverse selection of animals, from microscopic invertebrates to giant reptiles, this class interacts with the world of living organisms and the characteristics that make them unique. *Additional cost due to special materials and events.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm (4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28)
Middle School Classes (6th-8th grade)
Session 1: Phunky Physics + Rocket Science $325
Test the theories of Newton and Galileo by experimenting with gravity and motion. Use slingshots to project Angry Birds, drop bowling balls from a 30-foot tower and pull tablecloths from under crystal dinnerware. Master aerodynamics through the engineering design process with water-powered bottle rockets.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm (9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23)
Session 2: BSS Test Kitchen $350
Why does a potato have more calories when it is cooked? What is the Maillard Reaction and why does it smell so good? Why does milk curdle? Study the science behind the foods we eat and how we prepare them. Use techniques like fermentation and emulsification to experiment with sugars, leaveners, fats and proteins in the Science Station test kitchen! *No class over Thanksgiving break.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm (11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18)
Session 3: Human Anatomy + Physiology $325
Learn about the mammalian organ systems by conducting a fetal pig dissection* and conducting pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurophysiological experiments on your classmates. Discover what it takes to run a mile, stay warm, play the piano or do a math problem. *Alternative to live dissection available.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm (2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12)
Session 4: Light + Sight $325
Use lasers to learn how images are created by bouncing and bending light with lenses, mirrors and fiber optic cables. Apply these concepts to vision in the biological world by dissecting a cow eye. Put it all together by taking and developing your own photos with pin-hole cameras.
MORNING OPTION: Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm (4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28)
AFTERNOON OPTION: Wednesdays 2:45 pm – 4:45 pm (4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28)
Independent Research (application only)
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The Independent Research program is a guided scientific research course where high school students design and conduct their own experiments. To complete a project, participants in this program need to be self-motivated and willing to work both in and out of class. The course culminates with presentations at the Northwest Science EXPO. Students typically work in the labs sometime between 2:30 and 5:30 pm on Mondays or Thursdays from September through April. We ask that students commit to at least one and a half hours of lab time each week. As students get closer to presenting their research at the science fair, time commitments may increase. The first meeting for Independent Research students will be Monday, September 23 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm.
To schedule an interview or learn more please contact us at bss@bendsciencestation.org or 541-330-0433.
The Stewart C. Malone Scholarship Fund
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Scholarship opportunities further our values of inclusion and create greater access to STEM learning opportunities for the youth of Central Oregon. We want to make sure that every student has access to our programming, regardless of finances. Our scholarship fund is named for Stewart C. Malone, in recognition of his dedication to Guardian Ad Litem, advocating for the rights of abused and neglected youth, and his long-time support of the Science Station. We’ve tried to make the application process as easy as possible. Please call or email for specifics!
Payment + Cancellation Terms
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If paying by credit card, full payment will be charged at the time of registration.
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If paying by check or cash, payment must be received by BSS within 5 days of registration or your student’s spot may be forfeited.
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In the event that you need to cancel a registration, 50% of the cost is refundable (or available for credit) if BSS is notified at least 7 days prior to the start date of the class. The remaining class balance (less $25 cancelation fee) will be refunded if we can fill your student’s space.
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Unfortunately, we cannot refund your payment or credit your account if we are notified of a cancellation less than 7 days before the start of a class.
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There will be no partial refunds for missed days. A prorated credit will be considered if an enrolled student is unable to complete a class due to serious illness or injury.
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ALL CANCELLATIONS WILL INCUR A $25 CANCELLATION FEE.