November 8 is National STEM Day, a day to celebrate how science, technology, engineering, and math help us understand and shape the world. At Thinkery, we bring these ideas to life through STEAM, where art and creativity are part of every hands-on learning experience.
Thinkery leads the future of play-based STEAM learning experiences that inspire and equip all children to be confident, creative thinkers. Whether through hands-on activities in our neighborhood museums or through professional development programs with Thinkery’s STEAM Learning Institute, we’re helping educators, families, and kids explore the endless possibilities of curiosity-driven learning.
STEM in Our Community
Across Central Texas, many incredible organizations are helping make STEM learning accessible, inclusive, and fun for all. Here are just a few of the partners who share this mission with Thinkery:
Girl Start – Inspiring girls to discover the power of STEM through camps, after-school programs, and community events.
UT Austin WiSTEM – Engaging K–12 students and families through initiatives like STEM Girl Day, summer camps, and ambassador programs that connect students to real-world STEM experiences.
Austin Public Library and Local Libraries – Hosting free, creative programs that bring science and storytelling together for curious kids and tweens.
Together, we’re creating a community where every child can explore, imagine, and discover the world of STEM through the power of play.
At Home Maker Activity: Scribble Bots
Celebrate National STEM Day with a hands-on activity that gets kids thinking like engineers and artists!
Scribble Bots are simple, creative machines that draw on their own by combining art and engineering. As kids build and test their bots, they explore balance, cause and effect, and the basics of motion and electricity.
Materials
- Cup or plastic container
- Markers
- Tape
- Electric toothbrush or small motor
- Batteries
- Optional: stickers, pipe cleaners, googly eyes
Steps
- Attach three or four markers around the edge of your cup so the tips touch the paper.
- Tape the motor or electric toothbrush to the top of the cup.
- Turn it on and watch your Scribble Bot move and draw!
- Experiment. Try changing the weight or marker placement to see how your bot’s movement changes.
National STEM Day is a celebration of curiosity and creativity, the very qualities that fuel learning and play at Thinkery. Whether you’re tinkering with a Scribble Bot, coding, or building a fort, every moment of play is a chance to explore, imagine, and learn something new.
Celebrate with us by creating your own Scribble Bot and exploring the world of STEAM one squiggle at a time!