Workshops and Stations
There is something for everyone! Workshops and stations are open to students aged 7-17 and their parents and guardians. Everyone must pre-register for this event and you can do so here. See below for the 2024 events!
The BloomCON Hak4Kidz conference is an expo of STEM and critical thinking challenges. The conference is informal and fun with come-and-go stations and exciting workshops that families can experience together.
Invention Hacking Village
Using raw materials students engineer battery-operated mechanical creations they dream up.
Drone Wars
Race a drone through an obstacle course. Will you have the skills to be the fastest?
Retro Gaming
Retro gaming is fun that is hard to let go. Check out vintage gaming systems.
Coding With Cublets
Cubelets are a great way to familiarize yourself with computer science without a screen! Cubelets are block-based programming. Literally. Each Cubelet cube is a color-coded block of programming. See what you can make!
Programming Challenge with LEGO WeDo
Students will complete a challenge by building a machine with LEGOs and programming it to complete a task.
Hack It Together–Soldering Project
Learn to solder and make a motorized bot! Students will learn the basics of soldering. There will be an introduction to the equipment, safety, techniques, and fixing mistakes.
Code a Game in Scratch!
Learn the basics of coding your own game in Scratch save it and play it at home!
Codes and Ciphers
Code and decode messages while learning the basics of cryptology. Students will compete to break codes and be the first to unlock a mysterious box. Win a prize if you do!
Snap Circuits
Get a taste of electrical circuit lay-out with this fun and educational activity. Make a music box – a helicopter -or a space invader alarm!
LockSport
Learn about the engineering of locks. How they work – why we make them better – and learn to defeat locking systems. The more that people know about lock technology, the better they are capable of understanding how and where certain weaknesses are present.
Virtual Reality Puzzles
Gadgeteer is a physics-based VR puzzle game where you build chain reaction machines to solve fun, intricate puzzles.
Hak-a-Fort
We supply the building materials - you create the structure.
STEM Reading Corner
Take a break from the hustle and bustle and relax at the Columbia County Traveling Library STEM reading corner. Browse some cool books!
Reverse engineering
The old equipment playground where you can disassemble old electronics, see what’s inside, and try to identify the parts.
Creating with Chibitronics
Create a light up work of art with paper circuits and a switch!
Lego Maniacs
(Stop Motion with Legos): It’s time to get your Lego freak on! Every Lego Maniac has an epic movie just wanting to burst out of their brain and into the world. 30min workshop.
Hack A Rocket
To infinity and beyond! Design and build your own air-powered rocket and test it out to see how far it will go!
Hiding in Plain Sight
Columbia Montour United Way program Hiding in Plain Sight, is a simulation of a high school student’s bedroom, to help parents and concerned community members recognize unfamiliar hazards that are often in plain sight.
Safe and Secure Online
Join Trooper Anthony Petroski III, Community Services Officer and Public Information Officer of the Pennsylvania State Police to learn valuable information about staying safe online.
Financial Hacks
Join the experts from First Columbia Bank & Trust Co and learn how to hack a budget! Spend, save, plan ahead!
Hack a Wind Foil
Learn about aerodynamics and engineer an airfoil. How high can you get yours to go? The sky is the limit!
Healthy Eating Hacks
Get tips on healthy eating hacks and score a snack!
Nerdy Derby
Can you engineer the fastest mini soapbox derby car? Build it and race it along our 40 foot race course!
NFC Treasure Hunt
Eight NFC-tagged Tinker (the Hak4Kidz mascot) images are throughout the conference. Devices are provided to read the NFC tags. Each revealing a clue to find the next one. Find them all and win a prize!
Programming with Edison
Edison is a programmable robot designed to be a complete STEM resource for coding and robotics education for students from 4 to 16 years of age. Students will learn how to program Edison to run through a maze in this 50-minute workshop.
Escape Room
Desert Expedition Your team of archaeologists are searching to recover the fabled Golden Staff of Mystery. While at a dig site in Istanbul a giant sand storm appears! Can you find the artifact and escape time?