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The third graders wrapped up their xylophones and are working on remixing the code on a xylophone program or coding their own music programs on Scratch. This is such a fun extension of their science unit on electricity.
During our STEM time the second graders explored our Ozobots, Wonder Bot, Green Screen Center as well as several other engineering free-build activities. We can't wait to pick up where we left off! The second graders have been helping me explore and then create challenges for themselves and their peers in the MakerSpace. Some of the challenges they thought up and some were inspired by how they play with the materials and the conversations I overhear. I love the problem solving and teamwork that goes on in this wonderful space.
The fifth graders are working on an integrated STEM project where the goal is to design a better tend and build a prototype. They have been working on some research and now it's time to hit the MakerSpace and begin the build. The Keva Planks are appealing to all ages. The narrow cut blocks stack with surprising stability and challenge the students to try more complex designs. The third graders worked collaboratively on an entire city.
Have you ever noticed that the older a child is, the more sophisticated the “play”. Last Thursday we had a brief school wide power outage-right at the end of the 5th grade's STEM class...right as I asked them to save their complete or nearly completed Excel projects. Today we tried to open them. Most didn’t have all their hard work updated and some were completely corrupted frustrating everyone. So what did we do when we were thrown a curve-ball-we had an unplanned session in the MakerSpace. I love watching how the 5th graders used many of the materials that the littlest kids use. I love their discussions, collaborations, and complex projects. I especially loved the smiles on their faces. The middle school students were delighted with the opportunity to explore our new high level marble run material in the MakerSpace. Goal #1 has been to create a working marble run. There has been a lot of discussion on momentum and deceleration and angles of the downward slope to keep the marble from jumping. The end goal is to connect the three groups individual runs into one project. |
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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