Greening the Grey
5MP's STEAM Websites
eAlthough 5MP had to isolate briefly, they got to work quickly and effectively on their own selection of STEAM websites which display all of the learning they have done over the past weeks.
Before you look at our joint Year 5 website, you may want to have a peek at their websites first to see their STEAM highlights!
https://sites.google.com/apps.torriano.camden.sch.uk/5mpsteam
Explanation Texts
Our STEAM project was stimulated by our research in to the ageing process. We split the human lifetime in to 6 stages; prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescense, adulthood and old age.
We looked at the physical, mental and emotional changes that can occur at each stage and discussed what activities or habits to take up to remain healthy and develop new skills at each stage.
Year 5 then wrote explanation texts on this process.
In order to spread awareness of the factors that affect the ageing process, Year 5 made their very own Health Apps, designed to inform and get others active.
We recorded our own fitness, mindfulness, recipe and social videos for others to watch and get involved with.
Each app also contains a map pin pointing key areas where these different activities could be performed in and around Camden.
Blueberry Smoothie.movBlueberry Smoothie Recipe
IMG_0175.MOVOutdoor Workout!
5W's Poems
5MP's Poems
Poetry
Inspired by our poetry sessions with Paul Lyalls, we began our STEAM project creating a Greening the Grey Poem. We ventured out in to the local area, hitting spots such as Cantelowes and Camden road, to collect vocabulary and ideas for our pieces. We then turned this voacbulary in to imagery, focussing on the contrast between the green and the grey areas that we saw.
Urban Sounds
In music, we have composed pieces to reflect the environment we live in. We began by using sampled sounds of urban areas: sirens, car engines, helicopters, etc. Next, we cut some into rhythmic samples.
We pitch shifted some of our samples so we could create bass lines from the sounds. Then, we added real instruments like drums and synths.
We also used plug-ins, like a vocoder, to alter the sounds. To use the vocoder we had to play in the chords and side chain it with the audio so it harmonised the voice. Have a listen!
Clean Air Day
On Clean Air Day, The children took to the streets in protest at the high levels of pollution in Camden's air. Having looked at the effects pollution can have on the ageing process, it was important for us to raise awareness it could have on us in the long run.
Primary Science Challenge
On world asthma day we learned how several things can cause mucus build up in our airways . We wondered whether the high levels pollution around our school was causing asthma in the the children who attend this school . We decided to investigate by writing letters to schools all over the country to find out if areas with lower air pollution have as many asthma sufferers. We then analysed our data and came to conclusions. We entered our research into the Primary Science Challenge.
Dance with The Place
We took part in many workshops with The Place during this term. It was a fantastic experience and the children were able to try out an art form that many hadn't before- contemporary dance!
5MP's piece is all about the development of the human body- how our organs, bones and muscles work together throughout our lives.
5W's piece was about past, present and future technology.
The password for both dances is: TorrianoPS21
Skip Garden Design: Stage 1
Following on from our learning on the ageing process and how premature ageing can be prevented, Year 5 were tasked with the challenge of designing a well-being space around our new skip garden. On Monday 14th June, Venetia from Urban Learners started us off with a measurement and sketching session. We studied the space, used our bodies to measure it and then used them to create sketches of the skip and its surrounding area.
Skip Garden Design: Stage 2
Following our sketching session, Venetia visited us again, this time for a modelling activity. Year 5 carefully considered the furniture they wanted to include in their well being area and the purpose it would have. We considered shade, water drainage, opportunities for exercise and mindfulness and how social those using the area could be. Then, using different materials and a variety of modelling techniques, we created a version of their ideas in miniature.
Workshop with Sir Robert McAlpine
We took part in a virtual workshop with Sir Robert McAlpine construction. It was so interesting to learn about the inner workings of a construction site. They tasked us with creating a Welfare Facility- a room on a site where the construction workers can take a break, eat, relax and socialise.
We needed to consider the number of workers on a site, the facilities required and COVID restrictions!
We drew our designs to scale using our knowledge from our architecture sessions with Urban Learners.
Eco-Committee
As part of our STEAM project, Year 5 began working towards an Eco-Schools Green Flag. The criteria covers Ten Topics (If you fancy a look: https://www.eco-schools.org.uk/about/) and we noticed that many of our school's current STEAM topics covered these areas brilliantly. In order to achieve this, the school needed an Eco-Committee (a team of representatives from Years 1-6) who can come together to generate and put in to action ideas that can work towards helping the environment.
We wrote job descriptions for the Eco-Committee and then selected our committee!
Eco Committee.MOV
Bright Ugochukwu Eke
Rebecca Louise Law
Year 5 then studied the sculpture work of Kasia Molga whose artwork is a 'collaboration with nature' and highlights how nature can influence humans and vice versa.
Year 5 used dodecahedron shapes to create our own 'Carbon Capes' like those Kasia paraded through London. In Kasia's design, coloured lights were used to show the level of air pollution being breathed in by the wearer.
STEAM inspired Art
We started our STEAM project by studying the work of two artists.The first is Bright Ugochukwu Eke, a Nigerian artist whose work focuses on acid rain and the effects it can have on the environment. He calls attention to the effect air pollution has had on rising acid rain fall levels and how other man-made things could cause further disconnection and disruption. The second is Rebecca Louise Law, whose artwork looks at the connection between humanity and nature. Her installations are made up of flowers and allow visitors to walk through nature as they wak through her art. We then used charcoal to create a grey scene based off Bright's work and then used green to sketch on to a piece of tracing paper. As these overlap, we developed our thoughts on what Greying the Green meant and how it wasn't as easy as placing one on top of the other.
Our Legacy
Year 5 are hoping to use their designs to create a welfare area for children and adults to enjoy, next to the skip garden. We also hope to use our knowledge to design well-being seating along the green corridor between Torriano and Brecknock schools.
