Children’s art and science activities planned in Silver City

Every summer the historic community of Silver City offers a free STEAM, science, technology, engineering, arts and math, program for children and their parents. The annual program began in 2003 and has been offered each summer since, with varying themes, but always involving key STEAM concepts.

This year’s program will take place in the town’s Shady Park and adjacent Community Center, which is known as the School House, 385 High Street, Silver City. Activities include separate events for pre-kindergarten, elementary, and teenage youths. Parents are asked to stay and join in the fun and assist with cleanup.

Beginning art lessons for teens and adults, taught by Karen Kreyeski, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday and June 16. Space is limited. The first class will be Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: Drawing Objects the Way You See Them. The second will be Painting with the Spirit of Nature: Free Form Techniques Using Water, Sand and Salt.

Tune into Kids, an arts and science fair for parents and children ages 3-6, will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 23, in the park. The event is hosted by United Way. Space is limited.

A bike safety rodeo for children ages 5-12, hosted by Western Safe Routes to Schools, will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 30, at the park and basketball court. The event offers new bike helmets and covers road rules and safety and bike maneuver exercises. Parents are asked to sign Safe Routes permission slips before their children participate.

Some of Nevada’s sharpest engineering minds will lead hands-on activities that encourage innovation and problem solving from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 7, at the Community Center, where guest teachers from the Society of Women Engineers will teach a class for ages 5 to 12.

Jim Barcellos of 4-H and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will offer science experiments for ages 8-2 from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 15, and Wednesday, July 22, at the Community Center.

Brian Schorn, an artist, poet and musician who has taught at Brown University, Michigan University, and Interlochen Arts Academy, will present a program for grades 9-12 on July 14, 21 and 28. Class times and lessons will be announced soon.

The summer program will conclude with a family-friendly field trip to see Shakespeare on the beach at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe at 10 a.m. Aug. 4, when “Romeo and Juliet” will be performed.

The yearly youth summer program is made possible, in part, by Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey, plus guest teachers from many regional groups, and local fundraisers, donations and volunteer work from dozens of Silver City residents and groups.

For more information or to make a reservation for any event, contact Quest Lakes at 775-847-0742 or quest@theodata.com.