HMSC Teen Programs

Slime is not just a toy! Come learn the science behind squishy, slimy things in this hands-on workshop led by Harvard science and engineering graduate students Kathy and Jackson. Look into the world of why nature makes slimes and what you can do with squishy things in the real world. Use chemistry to maximize gooeyness or bounciness. Learn how oobleck is similar and different from slime. This workshop will combine group learning and hands-on creating where you leave with your personally engineered shiny slime sample!

Kathy Liu and Jackson Wilt are PhD students in materials science and mechanical engineering at Harvard. They both research how to make and use squishy materials, whether in medical devices, 3D printing, or as tools for understanding the world. The world of slime combines their love for polymer science with broadening the audiences of materials science. 

Stickball is often referred to as “the little brother of war,” and has been played by Native American tribes for centuries. This older cousin of lacrosse was a tool for avoiding warfare and is still played as a social game today.

Join stick maker James Walkingstick for an in-depth workshop on the game. Teens will analyze sticks made in 1908 and 2025 and learn how they are made, how they came to the museum, and how they are used today. At the end of the workshop, students will have the opportunity to play the game and cheer on their fellow players!

Step into ancient history with a 3,000-year-old ball game played by the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec. This intense team sport, which used a heavy rubber ball, was played in stone ballcourts and players could only hit the ball with their hips—no hands or feet! The game had deep meaning, symbolizing the movement of the sun across the sky. In this workshop, you’ll learn the history and try your hand (actually hip) at the game!

Discover the atlatl, a powerful spear-thrower used by the Aztecs! With an atlatl, warriors could launch darts faster and farther than by hand alone. Darts were tipped with sharp obsidian or bone that could pierce tough Spanish leather armor. Some atlatls were beautifully decorated and gifted to nobles, while others were plain and used by warriors. Today, people still make and use atlatls to explore ancient technology. Try this ancient skill yourself and experience history in action!

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

This workshop will take place at Voke Park in Chelsea, MA

540 Washington Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150

Travel back in time and explore some of the world’s oldest board games from the ancient Near East! In this interactive workshop, you'll learn the origins of games like senet, mancala, the Royal Game of Ur, and al-qirkat. Play, win, and learn how strategy and luck have connected people for thousands of years. Whether you love history, puzzles, or friendly competition, this workshop is for you. Come ready to play, learn, and experience ancient fun that still inspires today!