The Engineering Challenge at the Orange Main Library
January 17th Workshop: The Engineering Challenge at the Orange Main Library
This will be staffed by Canyons award-winning Robotics BSA Venturing Crew 1701
Students will create their own bubbling DIY lava lamps, observing how liquids of different densities interact and how chemical reactions produce mesmerizing motion.
They’ll also program mBots, using block-based coding to navigate courses, follow lines, and solve challenges while learning the basics of robotics and sensors.
Finally, participants will design and test parachutes that float small weights safely to the ground, experimenting with shapes, sizes, and string lengths to discover how air resistance and gravity affect falling objects.
These activities can meet some requirements for these merit badges; Chemistry, Energy, Science, Robotics, Programming, Digital, Technology, Engineering, Electronics, Aviation, Space, Exploration, Physics, Model Design & Building, plus Noa and
Supernova activities.
To get the list email David Schilpp at dschilpp2@earthlink.net
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Who: Students in Grades 6–12
- Cost: Free (Thanks to the support of Southern California Edison)
Space is limited and these workshops fill up fast!
https://forms.gle/k7M6rUXpaiiMKibR9
We look forward to seeing you at the library for a fantastic morning of problem-solving and exploration!
The Orange Public Library Foundation Sponsored by Southern California Edison
STEM Activity Advancement Mapping
1. MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENT MAPPING
Activity 1 — DIY Lava Lamps (Density, Chemical Reactions)
Chemistry — 1a, 1b, 3a, 3c, 6a
Demonstrates chemical reactions, immiscible liquids, gas formation, changes.|
Energy — 1b, 2a, 2b
Shows how heat and chemical reactions create motion and energy transfer.|
Science (STEM MB) — 2a, 3a, 4b
Hands‑on experiment demonstrating physical and chemical properties.|
Activity 2 — mBot Robotics (Coding, Sensors, Navigation)
Robotics — 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b, 5a
Programming a robot, using sensors, completing tasks, autonomous behavior.|
Programming — 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a
Block‑based coding, logic, debugging, writing functional programs.|
Digital Technology — 2a, 4a, 5b
Using digital tools, controlling hardware, computational thinking.
Engineering — 1a, 2a, 4a
Designing solutions, testing, improving robot performance.
Electronics — 2a, 4a
Understanding sensors, circuits, input/output devices.
Activity 3 — Parachute Design & Testing (Air Resistance, Gravity, Engineering)
Engineering — 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a
Full engineering design cycle: design → build → test → improve.
Aviation — 2a, 2b
Demonstrates drag, lift, and descent principles.
Space Exploration — 2a, 3a
Parachutes used in capsule recovery; design/testing align with requirements.
Physics — 1a, 2a, 3b
Gravity, drag, terminal velocity, motion.
Model Design & Building — 1a, 2a, 3a
Creating and testing functional models with measurable performance.
2. NOVA AWARD MAPPING
DIY Lava Lamps
Science Everywhere, Splash!, Shoot!
Scientific method, fluid behavior, motion. |
mBot Robotics
Tech Talk, Hello World!, Designed to Crunch,
RoboticsCoding, robotics, sensors, computational thinking.
Parachute Design
Shoot!, Up and Away, Science Everywhere
Motion, gravity, drag, aerodynamics, experimentation.|
3. SUPERNOVA MAPPING
DIY Lava Lamps
Scientific experiment requirement
Demonstrates chemical and physical science principles.|
mBot Robotics
Robotics/engineering project requirement
Programming, testing, iterative improvement.|
Parachute Design
Engineering design cycle requirement