The first graders have been exploring open and closed circuits. Working in groups of three they have helped create a three legged "Doodle Bots". This week they are experimenting with different materials to make a propeller that makes the bot jump and wiggle and doodle. The children chose materials and where to attach them to the motor to get their bot to groove. They also noticed that some materials were too light or too heavy and that if the battery was tired their bot wouldn't dance.
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First and Second grade students worked through a variety of holiday themed STEM challenges. They built steps for Santa's elves to climb into his sleigh. They created a "telescope" to help Santa see far. They created stockings for Santa to fill as well as several other tasks using problem solving, engineering and a variety of hands-on practice. Today the first graders spent their STEM time decorating their Gingerbread Community. On Friday we will be adding trees. We also have skype dates with two other classes in different parts of the United States coming up. On Saturday, some of our Rising Stars went to a team training in Waterford. They attended several different workshops. In one, they worked with another partial team to create a quick tower with paper (no tape). They used the folding trick they learned during last weeks DI meeting! In the instant challenge workshop, they had to build a structure that went under AND over the "bridge" without touching it. They earned extra points because their structure could also hold all the weights. We had a lot of fun and are so excited about the upcoming season! Our DI Lite Rising Stars group has kicked off and is up to the challenges their Managers are tossing their way. Today they had to create a bridge over "water" that would allow a "boat" to go under and that would span a distance longer than a pencil. They did a great job meeting the challenge. They learned how triangles are stronger than flat paper...they are so strong that cardboard is full of triangles!
The first graders designed, created and presented their own Thanksgiving Day Parade Floats. They came to the MakerSpace with their designs drawn and used our STEM time and MakerSpace materials to make their creations. When they finished, they presented their holiday floats to their peers.
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AuthorI'm Mrs. G - and we're doing great things in the ECA STEM program this year! Categories
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February 2018
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