Elementary STEM

In a world of constant change how can a healthy life be sustained? How can I use science to understand and impact change?

In their "Amazing Bodies of Birds" Expedition, students become ornithologists and research scientists, studying the physical characteristics of birds, and using text features such as labels, heading and captions to aid in their research. They learn the relationship between a bird's anatomy and their environment, and share their findings via informational texts.

In their "Secret World of Pollinators" Expedition, second graders become experts on plants and pollinators by applying their writing, listening and speaking skills. They do fieldwork at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Chattahoochee Nature Center and Elachee Nature Center to research how pollinators interact with plants. They use technology to create stop-motion animation videos highlighting pollinators in their habitats.

Students will understand that the frog populations are declining due to a variety of natural and man-made causes caused by changes to the habitats and water-pollution.

Fourth grade students will focus on the question, “How can I be a positive force of change?” during their year-long expedition. Students will write an informative piece examining the defense mechanisms of one specific animal they researched. In their research paper, students will incorporate the animal’s physical characteristics, habitat, predators, and defense mechanisms into their writing. In Art and Arabic, Students will research endangered animals and provide solutions for how to help them. Students will also become experts in how water pollution and climate change impact various ecosystems. Students will use their research to form a PSA to educate and motivate others to be a positive force of change.

What makes a changemaker and how can we create societal change?

Beginning with Changes in Me, students will explore the intersection of human rights and Constitutional rights through the story of Esperanza Rising and an examination of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Students will make a connection to science by determining if certain traits (both physical and behavioral) are learned or inherited.

In Changes in Nature, students will focus on the importance of rainforests on the biosphere. Connecting to the constructive and destructive processes on the Earth, students will create a PSA on why rainforests are important along with what they can do to protect them.

In Changes in the World, students will define a deeply personal global or community problem and design an innovation that could potentially help to resolve it. They will create a blueprint and a prototype for the innovation, as well as complete a provisional patent application and a cost analysis for the production of the prototype. The expedition culminates with the students presenting their elementary Passages presentation; a reflection on their time in elementary school, and how Amana has prepared them to change the world.