🎨 steam outreach and community experiences
🔬 under the lens
The world looks different at 140x magnification.
Under the Lens is a community microscopy experience for children (6+) and families. Using Foldscopes — ultra-affordable, paper-based microscopes — participants explore their own neighbourhood at a scale they've never seen before: pond water, flower petals, soil, fabric, skin cells, and more.
But the experience doesn't end when the workshop does. Every participant joins a growing Calgary community where people share what they discover under their Foldscope — and ask the questions that follow.
What you'll do:
Under the Lens is a community microscopy experience for children (6+) and families. Using Foldscopes — ultra-affordable, paper-based microscopes — participants explore their own neighbourhood at a scale they've never seen before: pond water, flower petals, soil, fabric, skin cells, and more.
But the experience doesn't end when the workshop does. Every participant joins a growing Calgary community where people share what they discover under their Foldscope — and ask the questions that follow.
What you'll do:
- Build and use your own Foldscope
- Explore samples from your local environment
- Document and share your discoveries with the CSA community
💚 Gift a Foldscope — $10 Your donation funds a Foldscope for a child who wouldn't otherwise have access to one. Every kit costs less than a coffee and lasts a lifetime. Contact [email protected] to learn how to donate!
🎨 Pop-up park labs
Science is already out there. We just help you find it.
Pop-Up Park Labs transforms a local Calgary park into a living laboratory. CSA sets up activities, brings the materials, and guides participants through hands-on exploration of the biology hiding in plain sight — under rocks, in the soil, on leaves, in the water.
Activities are curated for the season and the park, and can be customized for birthday parties, school groups, or family meetups. Zine-making can be added as a documentation component.
What participants explore:
Pop-Up Park Labs transforms a local Calgary park into a living laboratory. CSA sets up activities, brings the materials, and guides participants through hands-on exploration of the biology hiding in plain sight — under rocks, in the soil, on leaves, in the water.
Activities are curated for the season and the park, and can be customized for birthday parties, school groups, or family meetups. Zine-making can be added as a documentation component.
What participants explore:
- Macroinvertebrates, plant biology, fungi, and urban wildlife
- Nature journaling and field observation techniques
- Optional: create a zine documenting your discoveries
🍺 brewed nights
Good science. Good company. Great beer.
Brewed Nights are themed adult evenings hosted at Calgary breweries on off-nights — a relaxed, social space to hear 1–2 short talks on fascinating science and community topics, ask questions, and connect with curious people across the city.
Think: science café meets local night out. No lectures. No slides full of data. Just great stories, told well, over a drink.
CSA is actively seeking brewery partners for upcoming Brewed Nights. Interested in hosting? Get in touch.
Format: 1–2 speakers (20 min each) + open discussion Duration: 2–3 hours Who it's for: Adults Cost: $15/person — venue and beer separate
Brewed Nights are themed adult evenings hosted at Calgary breweries on off-nights — a relaxed, social space to hear 1–2 short talks on fascinating science and community topics, ask questions, and connect with curious people across the city.
Think: science café meets local night out. No lectures. No slides full of data. Just great stories, told well, over a drink.
CSA is actively seeking brewery partners for upcoming Brewed Nights. Interested in hosting? Get in touch.
Format: 1–2 speakers (20 min each) + open discussion Duration: 2–3 hours Who it's for: Adults Cost: $15/person — venue and beer separate
🎂 Steam birthday party
The birthday party where everyone learns something and nobody notices.
CSA brings a fully facilitated STEAM experience to your child's birthday — science experiments, art projects, and hands-on activities customized around a theme you choose together. Zine-making, nature exploration, microscopy, and more can all be woven in.
We handle the planning, the materials, and the facilitation. You handle the cake.
What's included:
CSA brings a fully facilitated STEAM experience to your child's birthday — science experiments, art projects, and hands-on activities customized around a theme you choose together. Zine-making, nature exploration, microscopy, and more can all be woven in.
We handle the planning, the materials, and the facilitation. You handle the cake.
What's included:
- Theme consultation before the event
- All materials and facilitation
- Flexible activity mix (science, art, or both)
- Optional zine-making or Foldscope components
STEAM Consultancy for Schools & Organizations
CSA works with schools, libraries, and organizations to design engaging science education programs.
Services include:
🔬 Curriculum Development – Integrate engaging, hands-on STEAM activities into your existing programs, tailored to different age groups and learning styles.
🎭 Interactive Learning Experiences – Create immersive workshops, science fairs, and community events that bring STEAM to life.
📊 Professional Development for Educators – Equip teachers and staff with the tools, resources, and confidence to deliver impactful STEAM education.
🌱 Sustainability & Nature-Based Learning – Develop programs that connect students with local biodiversity, environmental science, and sustainable practices.
💡 Custom STEAM Solutions – Need something unique? We work with schools, libraries, museums, and organizations to craft specialized programs that fit your goals.
Our team brings expertise in education, science communication, and hands-on learning to help you create meaningful and engaging STEAM experiences.
📍 Available for schools, community groups, and organizations in Calgary.
📩 Let’s bring STEAM to your community!
Services include:
🔬 Curriculum Development – Integrate engaging, hands-on STEAM activities into your existing programs, tailored to different age groups and learning styles.
🎭 Interactive Learning Experiences – Create immersive workshops, science fairs, and community events that bring STEAM to life.
📊 Professional Development for Educators – Equip teachers and staff with the tools, resources, and confidence to deliver impactful STEAM education.
🌱 Sustainability & Nature-Based Learning – Develop programs that connect students with local biodiversity, environmental science, and sustainable practices.
💡 Custom STEAM Solutions – Need something unique? We work with schools, libraries, museums, and organizations to craft specialized programs that fit your goals.
Our team brings expertise in education, science communication, and hands-on learning to help you create meaningful and engaging STEAM experiences.
📍 Available for schools, community groups, and organizations in Calgary.
📩 Let’s bring STEAM to your community!
