Dec. 21, 2017 — CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) and KidSTREAM Children’s Museum are teaming up to offer kids a festive way to thank the firefighters or send holiday wishes to families affected by the Thomas fire.
Kids can print their own snowflakes at the “3-D Print a Snowflake” event from 12 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22 at the Camarillo Premium Outlet, across from the Crocs store.
CSUCI Educational Partnerships will provide the 3-D printers that kids can use to print a three-dimensional snowflake ornament, then create a note or drawing for a firefighter or family affected by the Thomas fire.
The note or drawing will be attached to the snowflake ornament, and delivered to families or firefighters. Kids get to print and take home their own snowflake ornament, too.
“We wanted to create an event that would engage children’s minds as well as inspire their giving spirit, as the community works to rebuild what has been lost,” said Kristen Akl, Board President of KidSTREAM. “In times like these, it is important to bring happiness and joy to everyone we can.”
CSUCI Professor of Chemistry Phil Hampton, Ph.D., a KidSTREAM board member who is coordinating the event with Akl, said the snowflake event is a way to create awareness about the emerging children’s museum while bringing seasonal cheer to those whose holidays were affected by the Thomas fire.
Hampton hopes introducing kids to the marvels of 3-D printing might inspire a child’s curiosity about science and technology as well as the arts.
“Friday’s event is really STEAM-focused (science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics),” Hampton said. “We hope to engage the kids in the 3-D technology and math concepts—the symmetry of snowflakes—while spreading holiday cheer.”
Hampton is the director of VC STEM, a countywide network of agencies, schools and businesses supporting high quality STEM education in Ventura County.