{"title":"After-School Programs","description":"\u003cp\u003eSmall Group Packs of 10 that start and finish inside one afternoon block.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"monster-claw-small-group-pack-10","title":"Monster Claw Small Group Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners build a cardboard claw and power it with air, using \u003cstrong\u003epneumatics\u003c\/strong\u003e, so pushing one \u003cstrong\u003episton\u003c\/strong\u003e opens and closes the claw at the other end. It is a careful ten-step build that ends with a working machine, a gripper relay race, and a first look at \u003cstrong\u003ehydraulics\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners build the claw from six cardboard \u003cstrong\u003elevers\u003c\/strong\u003e joined with connectors, then attach two pistons and a tube. Pushing or pulling one handle moves air to the other piston and works the claw. Plan on learners following the visual guide closely. Once it works, they improve the grippers for a relay race, redesign parts from scrap cardboard, or try water instead of air.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explore pneumatics, levers, and pivots.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen individually packaged, ready-to-build kits for learners to make and keep. A good fit for small group classes, STEM activity stations, or make-and-take projects at special events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 3 through 8. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes in a classroom, or 25 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/monster-claws\"\u003eMonster Claws educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46903038968046,"sku":"G2 CLAW 010","price":69.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/spark-monsterclaws-main10x-2604.png?v=1778186202"},{"product_id":"monster-mouth-small-group-pack","title":"Monster Mouth Small Group Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners design their own monster and give it a \u003cstrong\u003epneumatic\u003c\/strong\u003e, air-powered mouth that opens and closes as they push and pull. \u003cstrong\u003eCharacter design\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003estorytelling\u003c\/strong\u003e, and science come together as each monster gets a face, a voice, and a \u003cstrong\u003ebackstory\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners connect two \u003cstrong\u003epistons\u003c\/strong\u003e with a tube and test how pushing one moves the other. They mount the pistons on a craft stick, design and cut a monster face from cardboard, and attach it so the mouth moves. Then they test and adjust. Monster Claws covers the same science for grades 3 to 8.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners design a monster face and features.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners write a backstory on a printable worksheet and explain how pushing the piston opens the mouth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explore pneumatics, and hydraulics if they try water instead of air.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen individually packaged, ready-to-build kits for learners to make and keep. A good fit for small group classes, STEM activity stations, or make-and-take projects at special events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades K through 5. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/monster-mouths\"\u003eMonster Mouths educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47022282211566,"sku":"G1 MSTR 010","price":59.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/x10_Monster_Mouth_Image.jpg?v=1759092837"},{"product_id":"linkages-small-group-pack","title":"Linkages Small Group Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners connect cardboard \u003cstrong\u003elevers\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003epivots\u003c\/strong\u003e into moving mechanisms, then hide them inside creatures and characters, like animals that dance and fish that swim. Each project is part machine and part story, built from four real \u003cstrong\u003emechanical linkages\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners start by joining two bars with a pivot. Then they build each of four linkages: \u003cstrong\u003ereverse motion\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebell crank\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eparallel motion\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003escissor\u003c\/strong\u003e. Next they plan a creature or machine on a design sheet, test the idea in paper, and build a final version that hides the linkage inside a character or story. Extensions connect several linkages into one larger machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners design a character and a story that the movement brings to life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explain the chain of cause and effect inside a linkage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explore levers, pivots, and how a mechanism changes the direction of motion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen individually packaged, ready-to-build kits for learners to make and keep. A good fit for small group classes, STEM activity stations, or make-and-take projects at special events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades K through 8. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/linkages\"\u003eLinkages educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47025203347694,"sku":"G3 LINK 010","price":69.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/spark-linkages-main10x-2604.png?v=1778178884"},{"product_id":"electric-vehicle-10-pack","title":"Electric Vehicle Small Group Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners wire a \u003cstrong\u003emotor\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003egear\u003c\/strong\u003e into a working electric car and watch it drive. Swapping two wires reverses the \u003cstrong\u003epolarity\u003c\/strong\u003e and sends it backward. Then they redesign it to be smaller, faster, three-wheeled, or able to drive in circles, pairing real \u003cstrong\u003ecircuits\u003c\/strong\u003e with reading technical diagrams.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners snap the motor onto a cardboard base, add an axle with a gear that \u003cstrong\u003emeshes\u003c\/strong\u003e with the motor gear, connect the battery, and test. They reverse the wires to change direction and fix problems with friction and gear alignment. Then they take the car apart and redesign it with paper tubes, straws, and scissors. The kit includes the battery, motor, and every part for the first build.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners use the visual guide and slides to work out how the parts connect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners trace energy from battery to motor to gears to wheels, and discover polarity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen individually packaged, ready-to-build kits for learners to make and keep. A good fit for small group classes, STEM activity stations, or make-and-take projects at special events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades 3 through 8. Plan for 45 to 60 minutes in a classroom, or 25 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/electric-vehicles\"\u003eElectric Vehicles educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47180278104302,"sku":"G2 ELEC 010","price":69.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/spark-electricvehicles-main10x-2604.png?v=1778164455"},{"product_id":"straw-structures-small-group-pack-10","title":"Straw Structure Small Group Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners connect jumbo paper straws into shapes, then into towering \u003cstrong\u003e3D structures\u003c\/strong\u003e as tall as they are, then team up to reach the ceiling. It turns \u003cstrong\u003e2D and 3D geometry\u003c\/strong\u003e into a team building challenge with plenty of rebuilding along the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners build a flat \u003cstrong\u003ebase\u003c\/strong\u003e from straw segments, then build upward into \u003cstrong\u003eprisms\u003c\/strong\u003e. The challenges grow, from a structure as tall as the learner to team builds that reach the ceiling or are big enough to fit inside. Each kit has 60 straws, enough for team builds, and learners take their kit home afterward.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArt and design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners design the shape and form of their structure, from a single prism to a team build big enough to fit inside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMath.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners name prisms and use the 12-inch straw as a unit to measure height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners test how base width and cross pieces affect stability, and engineer structures to meet a height goal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen individually packaged, ready-to-build kits for learners to make and keep. A good fit for small group classes, STEM activity stations, or make-and-take projects at special events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for pre-K through grade 8. Plan for 30 to 60 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/straw-structures\"\u003eStraw Structures educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47421418012910,"sku":"G1 STRW 010","price":69.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/spark-strawstructures-main10x-2604.png?v=1778265254"},{"product_id":"mazes-small-group-pack-10","title":"Mazes Small Group Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearners design a ramp path so a ball zigs, zags, and zooms into a hoop, then connect their maze to a partner's to build one long run. It is a design puzzle about \u003cstrong\u003egravity\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eangles\u003c\/strong\u003e that grows from a solo build into a whole-group machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLearners stand the board on a cardboard kickstand, place the hoop at the bottom, and work upward, \u003cstrong\u003ereverse engineering\u003c\/strong\u003e the path by adding ramps from the finish back to the start. They roll the ball after each ramp, adjust angles, and add \u003cstrong\u003estoppers\u003c\/strong\u003e where it falls off. Once three ramps send the ball into the hoop, partners link boards so one maze feeds the next. Extensions grow to six-board group mazes with a single ball.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject connections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnglish language arts.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners explain how changing a ramp's angle changes the ball's speed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMath.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners see each ramp as an angle and compare steep and shallow ones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScience and engineering.\u003c\/strong\u003e Learners test gravity and cause and effect on a rolling ball.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eTen individually packaged, ready-to-build kits for learners to make and keep. A good fit for small group classes, STEM activity stations, or make-and-take projects at special events.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA screen-free activity for grades K through 8. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes in a classroom, or 15 minutes at an activity station.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery Spark comes with a free educator guide with a video, slides, and printables (a free educator login unlocks them): \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/kidsmakethingsbetter.com\/inst\/mazes\"\u003eMazes educator guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FutureMakers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48006457065710,"sku":"G2 MAZE 010","price":69.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0725\/0830\/9742\/files\/x10_2_67593af7-d466-4e4a-ad16-92be4f21559c.png?v=1781107347"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.futuremakers.fun\/collections\/after-school.oembed","provider":"FutureMakers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}