When we are not working on these skills, students will be engaged in a tech-lab where we work on STEM/STEAM projects. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. The goal of STEAM is to look at real-world problems and try to solve them in collaboration with others. For example, the 2nd graders have chair pockets that hold their folders, light books and more. Every time I walk by a chair, I end up knocking down a folder. I want to task the students to come up with a solution. Can they re-engineer these chair pockets so they stay in place better? We'll see! Or what about in March when those Irish tricksters are on the loose. Can students design a leprechaun trap? (Sometimes "real world" is a fun stretch!)