Our High Rocks Hub Café STEAM Workshops are BACK for 2026!
Funded by the West Virginia Department of Tourism
Please note that several of our workshops are offered as a series. Participants
are expected to attend all sessions in the series.
Click the titles on the menu below to see full workshop descriptions.
Chocolate STEAM Workshop
this workshop is open to 6th-12th graders
Café is happy to provide an alternative.
Join us for a hands-on chocolate workshop where science, culture, and creativity
come together! Participants will explore the fascinating history and global journey
of chocolate, learn about the biology of the cacao plant (including a plant
discovery walk in Hollowell Park), and dive into the science of chocolate making
through real tempering experiments. From understanding shine and snap to
troubleshooting texture, students will think like food scientists while creating and
testing their own original recipes. The day wraps up with reflection and, of course,
delicious final products—an engaging experience that blends biology, chemistry,
culture, and culinary innovation!
STEAM Forensic Science Workshop Series
April 8th, 15th, and 22nd: 5pm-7pm
this workshop is open to 6th to 12th graders
Have you ever wanted to solve a crime like a real forensic scientist? In this hands-
on workshop series, you’ll step inside the world of forensic investigation. Learn
how forensic anthropologists study human skeletons to uncover clues, lift and
analyze fingerprints, and even calculate the trajectory of blood spatter. Join
forensic science professor Dr. Kristy Henson as she takes you behind the scenes of
a real forensic science lab and shows you how science helps solve mysteries.
STEAM Resin Crafting Workshop Series
May 2nd: 12-2pm, May 8th: 4-6pm, and May 9th: 12-2pm
this workshop is open to 6th-12th graders
Join us for three immersive two-hour workshops where art and science come
together in a hands-on creative experience. Participants will design and create their
own wearable and decorative pieces while exploring the chemical and functional
differences between eco-friendly resin and gypsum-based casting materials. Along
the way, students will learn the fundamentals of digital design and precision
measurement, examine resin chemistry as a polymer—including ratios, curing
times, and environmental factors—and practice planning, documentation, and
construction skills. By blending art, chemistry, design, and engineering, students
will gain valuable experience in both creative expression and scientific thinking
while leaving with a beautiful piece they designed themselves.
Patterns in Nature STEAM Workshop Series
and importance of patterns in nature. Have you ever noticed how patterns repeat all
around us? From the spirals of seashells and the symmetry of flowers to the
branching of trees and rivers, nature is filled with stunning and powerful designs.
In this interactive workshop, participants will explore spirals, symmetry,
branching, and fractals in the natural world while discovering how these patterns
help living systems grow, survive, and function. Through scientific observation
and mathematical thinking, learners will deepen their understanding and express
their discoveries through creative, hands-on activities. Blending science,
technology, engineering, art, and math, this engaging experience encourages
curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity—perfect for learners who love to explore,
create, and see the world in a whole new way.
