Embedded Files
STEAM 2020
STEAM 2020
Save the Oceans!
Save the Oceans!
Did you know there is a patch of plastic in the Pacific Ocean that is two times the size of Texas?
Did you know there is a patch of plastic in the Pacific Ocean that is two times the size of Texas?
Students learned that millions of tons of plastic end up as litter. This litter gets washed into rivers that enter the oceans. Ocean currents then carry plastic to certain areas called gyres, ocean currents that move in a circular pattern. Plastic is a problem, because it breaks down into tiny parts. It gets eaten by fish, birds, sea turtles, and other marine life.
Students learned that millions of tons of plastic end up as litter. This litter gets washed into rivers that enter the oceans. Ocean currents then carry plastic to certain areas called gyres, ocean currents that move in a circular pattern. Plastic is a problem, because it breaks down into tiny parts. It gets eaten by fish, birds, sea turtles, and other marine life.
What can we do to help solve this problem? Students talked about recycling, using water bottles they can fill up over and over, using metal or paper straws, and using cloth or paper grocery bags.
What can we do to help solve this problem? Students talked about recycling, using water bottles they can fill up over and over, using metal or paper straws, and using cloth or paper grocery bags.
Students also came up with great ideas to clean up the garbage in the oceans. They designed prototypes that would suck out the plastic, release the fish and wildlife, and sort plastic to be used in other items. They even discussed creating a fish that would devour plastic.
Students also came up with great ideas to clean up the garbage in the oceans. They designed prototypes that would suck out the plastic, release the fish and wildlife, and sort plastic to be used in other items. They even discussed creating a fish that would devour plastic.
Words We Are Working On...
Words We Are Working On...
single use plastic - plastic items like forks, spoons, straws, cups that are used one time and thrown away
single use plastic - plastic items like forks, spoons, straws, cups that are used one time and thrown away
gyre - ocean currents that move in a circle
gyre - ocean currents that move in a circle
Students created a device to clean up the ocean. They were super creative in using Legos, K'NEX, and clay to make their prototypes.
Students read about different technologies used to clean up the oceans and rivers. The Ocean Cleanup website helped students visualize the extent of the problem and a solution that is being tested right now. Mr. Trash Wheel is another technology being used in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It uses floating booms to pull trash towards the collector. It uses solar power and the water current to turn the shaft that runs a conveyor belt.
Students read about different technologies used to clean up the oceans and rivers. The Ocean Cleanup website helped students visualize the extent of the problem and a solution that is being tested right now. Mr. Trash Wheel is another technology being used in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It uses floating booms to pull trash towards the collector. It uses solar power and the water current to turn the shaft that runs a conveyor belt.
ROBOTICS
ROBOTICS
Elementary and Junior High students are using Ozobot Evo to learn about robotics and coding. They are using color patterns to move the Ozobot Evo through mazes. All the students are working hard to solve any problems the robot may encounter in the maze and reach the finish line.
Elementary and Junior High students are using Ozobot Evo to learn about robotics and coding. They are using color patterns to move the Ozobot Evo through mazes. All the students are working hard to solve any problems the robot may encounter in the maze and reach the finish line.
Words We Are Working On...
Words We Are Working On...
calibrate - getting Evo ready to read the lines and color patterns (code)
calibrate - getting Evo ready to read the lines and color patterns (code)
optical sensors - Evo's eyes,
optical sensors - Evo's eyes,
pattern - colors used in a specific order to tell Evo what to do
pattern - colors used in a specific order to tell Evo what to do
LED - light emitting diode
LED - light emitting diode
Rockin' Roller Coaster
Rockin' Roller Coaster
Students explored the forces that keep a roller coaster moving along its track. We learned that the highest hill (the lift hill) is at the beginning of the ride. This is where the roller coaster gains most of its energy. Once the car starts down the hill, kinetic energy keeps the car moving through the ride. Loss of momentum and friction slow the car down at the end of the ride.
Students explored the forces that keep a roller coaster moving along its track. We learned that the highest hill (the lift hill) is at the beginning of the ride. This is where the roller coaster gains most of its energy. Once the car starts down the hill, kinetic energy keeps the car moving through the ride. Loss of momentum and friction slow the car down at the end of the ride.
Words We Are Learning
Words We Are Learning
Acceleration - the act of speeding up or slowing down
Acceleration - the act of speeding up or slowing down
Force- push or pull on an object
Force- push or pull on an object
Friction - force that opposes motion
Friction - force that opposes motion
Gravity - force that pulls objects towards each other
Gravity - force that pulls objects towards each other
Kinetic Energy - energy due to motion
Kinetic Energy - energy due to motion
Potential Energy - energy that is stored and held in readiness
Potential Energy - energy that is stored and held in readiness
Snowflake Geometry
Snowflake Geometry
Students have been looking closely at snow crystals! We have found that they are really frozen water and they come in too many shapes to count. Snowflakes start as a speck of dirt. As water vapor sticks to the speck, it grows into a hexagon shape. Then branches start growing from the corners and a beautiful snow crystal is created!
Students have been looking closely at snow crystals! We have found that they are really frozen water and they come in too many shapes to count. Snowflakes start as a speck of dirt. As water vapor sticks to the speck, it grows into a hexagon shape. Then branches start growing from the corners and a beautiful snow crystal is created!
Did you know that water molecules attach themselves to each other in groups of six. This is why snow crystals have six arms or six sides.
Did you know that water molecules attach themselves to each other in groups of six. This is why snow crystals have six arms or six sides.
Cassino, Mark. The Story of Snow (p. 21). Chronicle Books LLC. Kindle Edition.
Making a Crystal
Making a Crystal
In order to study crystals, we grew some of our own using a mixture of borax, hot water, and pipe cleaners. Then we looked at them with magnifying glasses and took pictures of them.
In order to study crystals, we grew some of our own using a mixture of borax, hot water, and pipe cleaners. Then we looked at them with magnifying glasses and took pictures of them.
Turkey Trouble
Turkey Trouble
Challenge:
Challenge:
Students will create a public service announcement to encourage viewers to stop eating turkey during Thanksgiving. They will be offering other tasty suggestions.
Students will create a public service announcement to encourage viewers to stop eating turkey during Thanksgiving. They will be offering other tasty suggestions.
Students are using the DoInk Green Screen app to record their message and layer it in front of a picture. Here is one of our first PSA's.
Students are using the DoInk Green Screen app to record their message and layer it in front of a picture. Here is one of our first PSA's.
64659108-33CF-43E3-BA40-0170628E8135.movSTEAM In ACTION: Create a Game
STEAM In ACTION: Create a Game
CHALLENGE:
CHALLENGE:
Create a game similar to the one on a popular television show. The budget is limited and it needs to be built before the Halloween party.
Create a game similar to the one on a popular television show. The budget is limited and it needs to be built before the Halloween party.
The game must have at least 3 angles during the ball drop and there must be at least 4 direction changes.
The game must have at least 3 angles during the ball drop and there must be at least 4 direction changes.
Trying to decide how to make the back of the board safe with all the tacks sticking out.
Deciding what adhesive will work best (glue, tacky glue, or hot glue).
Students hard at work creating a PLINKO board.
Trying out different pegs to make the PLINKO board.
What's Happening in Junior High STEAM
What's Happening in Junior High STEAM
09/21/2019
09/21/2019
Junior high classes used Google Draw to create paper models of tower cranes. Then they used Legos to make a model and the design thinking process to make observations and improvements.
Junior high classes used Google Draw to create paper models of tower cranes. Then they used Legos to make a model and the design thinking process to make observations and improvements.
The challenge was to make a viable model that would pick up a load and move it without using their hands. This proved to be tricky and many great ideas were shared between the groups. Students shared how to use legos parts to create a crank to lift the load and gears to pivot a load left or right.
The challenge was to make a viable model that would pick up a load and move it without using their hands. This proved to be tricky and many great ideas were shared between the groups. Students shared how to use legos parts to create a crank to lift the load and gears to pivot a load left or right.
What is STEAM?
What is STEAM?
The Next Generation Science Standards place a great emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. STEAM classes encourage students to problem-solve, to ask questions, and to engage with real life situations. During STEAM classes students are working on skills such as communication, data analysis, product design, and working collaboratively. These skills are needed to succeed in all careers.
The Next Generation Science Standards place a great emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. STEAM classes encourage students to problem-solve, to ask questions, and to engage with real life situations. During STEAM classes students are working on skills such as communication, data analysis, product design, and working collaboratively. These skills are needed to succeed in all careers.
Students use the engineering design process to find solutions and develop prototypes. Students are encouraged to act as scientists and engineers through the use of sketches, diagrams, mathematical relationships, and literacy connections. Students create their own sketches, models, and products based on background information and research.
Students use the engineering design process to find solutions and develop prototypes. Students are encouraged to act as scientists and engineers through the use of sketches, diagrams, mathematical relationships, and literacy connections. Students create their own sketches, models, and products based on background information and research.
The 5E Model
The 5E Model
The 5E Instructional Model emphasizes building new ideas based on existing knowledge. Challenges in the STEAM classroom require students to respond using math, writing, theatrical and oral skills that are appropriate for their skill level as they work through each phase of the 5E model.
The 5E Instructional Model emphasizes building new ideas based on existing knowledge. Challenges in the STEAM classroom require students to respond using math, writing, theatrical and oral skills that are appropriate for their skill level as they work through each phase of the 5E model.
ENGAGE
ENGAGE
Make connections between what you know and focus on the outcome of the activity
Make connections between what you know and focus on the outcome of the activity
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
Build on existing knowledge through exploration and manipulation of materials.
Build on existing knowledge through exploration and manipulation of materials.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
Demonstrate the understanding of a concept through verbal or written communication. Students may also demonstrate new skills and teachers will introduce new vocabulary.
Demonstrate the understanding of a concept through verbal or written communication. Students may also demonstrate new skills and teachers will introduce new vocabulary.
ELABORATE
ELABORATE
Extend understanding by obtaining more information about a topic through new experiences and research.
Extend understanding by obtaining more information about a topic through new experiences and research.
EVALUATE
EVALUATE
Assess understanding of key concepts and skills (self-assess and teacher-assess)
Assess understanding of key concepts and skills (self-assess and teacher-assess)
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