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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 third grade students explored closing a circuit using our MakeyMakeys and Chromebooks. First we closed the circuit by holding hands, next they worked in groups using their bodies and play-dough to close the circuits and make the program work. 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. Middle school students traveled to Northern Michigan for a three day field trip. Students visited several areas of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park and later conducted experiments with sand and water tension. We spend two nights in a lodge at the Traverse City State Park and enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather when we swam in Lake Michigan and enjoyed games, bonfires, s’mores and other team building activities. The highlight of our trip was when students conducted authentic research and investigated the ecology of the Great Lakes as well as learned a little bit about how to sail schooner Inland Seas. Students followed this activity up by building and testing underwater remote controlled vehicles on board the Utopia at Discovery Pier in Traverse City. Our trip wrapped up with a visit to the local farmers market, putt-putt and a stop at a favorite local diner before returning home. Our NASA Ambassador Mr. Gerry was able to get lots of Eclipse Glasses for us to use at ECA on the afternoon of August 21st during the eclipse.. We had a great time. The children loved getting together over the summer break for a giant science experience. Mr. Gerry returned to ECA to share his passion about space with each class. The children learned about planets, the Hubble telescope as well as the Webb, the upcoming solar eclipse, the newest solar system and so much more. As always, the children are delighted with his visits! "It's the most interesting field trip I've ever been. We are not the audience!" -Luca A handful of third grade students were invited to present their "MakeyMakey Scratch Game Control Challenge" during the state MACUL Teachers and Technology conference at Cobo Arena today.
After a little break - we returned to create the top of the water bottle greenhouses. One group used more water bottles. The other group scavenged in our recycling area and found clear egg cartons to use. We can't wait to test them - hopefully next week when the snow melts.
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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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