This post is part of my continuing series of weekly lesson summaries. My goal is to give parents and caregivers in our school community the resources needed to extend student learning at home, and to share my professional practice with teacher colleagues around the world in the interest of improving my craft.
Special Area Rotation ending 10/15/13 Primary (K-2) What we learned/did/explored together: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....BLASTOFF! This rotation we explored the universe and our place in it. We took a fantastic journey through the solar system and finally to Mars. Students were asked to consider Aerospace Engineering as they developed comprehensive plans for traveling to, then colonizing the planet Mars. What I observed/inferred/connected: Space is a big topic, literally and figuratively, one you could almost build an entire course around. Students are naturally inquisitive about space and our place in it, though developmentally might not be able to handle the "big" questions adults often ponder. Still, it's cool to see reactions when you explain that over 1,300 Earths would fit inside Jupiter, 3 alone in the Great Red Spot. WHOA! I remember being into outer space growing up, but space was very much a part of our lives - you could still grow up to be an astronaut. Nowadays, political junk aside, space isn't really something we talk about minus the occasional Hollywood blockbuster about an asteroid, or an astronaut lost in space or an alien invasion. We tried to separate fact from fiction in our exploration of space, working towards answering, or at least wrapping our brains around the question: is using our imagination or facts more important when solving a problem? What students can do at home: Look up. Get a cheap telescope. Talk about the stars. Take advantage of the cool, clear night to head outside where the lights from passing cars or big box stores don't reach. To install the sense of wonder that we hope to engage here in STEAM, simply taking a minute to assess our place in the world, along with your child will show them that we really do live on a cool planet (not as cool, in the hip sense, as Venus though - man, that's a weird planet). Intermediate (3-5) What we learned/did/explored together: 3rd grade students completed a fantastic Engineering is Elementary unit about magnetism, culminating in an exploration of Transportation Engineering and the creation of a levitating magnetic train (maglev). Other grade levels explored kinetic, potential and dissipated energies in an exploration of Theme Park Science. What I observed/inferred/connected: Other than my job, being a Walt Disney Imagineer has to be the coolest job in the world. The students really enjoyed the Theme Park Science unit, so it's definitely something I'll explore doing every year for every grade. I don't imagine students will tire of building marble roller coasters from flexible tubes, or playing on the excellent Coaster Creator BrainPOP website. To repeat a common thread - students are naturally into everything we've talked about. They understand what it feels like to ride a rollercoaster, so connecting that visceral, real-world experience back to actual physics - inertia, energy, etc - is an easy leap. To hear 3rd graders speaking of potential and kinetic energy is impressive. The magnet unit continues to solidify the Engineering is Elementary curricula, for me, as some of the most well-written, well-researched material I have every come across. It is excellently planned and brilliantly constructed. My execution could use some work, though, as we ALWAYS run out of time. I have applied for a professional development scholarship - fingers crossed EiE will help me best implement their fantastic plans. Teacher time management aside, the students LOVED the unit - sailing a magnetic boat across a miniature pond, levitating ring magnets, building a tiny levitating train. What students can do at home: Play. Use magnets to see what they attach to (be careful not to touch electronic devices). Access the BrainPOP Coaster Creator game at home by visiting this link or going to our school website. As webmaster, I've placed that link on our website so all can enjoy it. I'm excited to introduce you to LEGO WeDo robotics. Thanks to a generous donation from the Family Resource Council, led by Leigh Ann Lowery, our STEAM Lab will soon have a classroom set of LEGO WeDo robotics kits. As part of this donation, we will start an afterschool STaR (Science, Technology and Robots) Club beginning after winter vacation. Enjoy the promotional video below as you watch students of all ages and all abilities embrace 21st century learning. |
Mr. CoxThese posts are part of my continuing series of weekly tidbits. My goal is to give all stakeholders in our school community the resources and information needed to extend student learning at home, and to share my professional journey with teacher colleagues around the world in the interest of connecting with others equally passionate about the STEAM/STEM/Maker Movement. Archives
January 2016
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