Embedded Files
The Birdseye/Hammond STEM lab at O’Maley Middle School was originally conceived by John Madama and championed by the Gloucester Education Foundation in 2008.
Current projects in the TechRoom:
Automatas
Automatas
September 2025
Investigating the relationships of placement, alignment and clearance, students work with shapes, properties and inputs to create a machine that tells a story.
Massachusetts STE Standards:
6.MS-ETS2-2(MA). Given a design task, select appropriate materials based on specific properties needed in the construction of a solution.
Sail Cars©
Sail Cars©
October 2025
Sail cars begin with the testing of 1/4 scale models on the wind floor. Checking against all points of sail helps builders choose the best design for scaling up.
Massachusetts STE Standards:
8.MS-PS2-2. Provide evidence that the change in an object’s speed depends on the sum of the forces on the object (the net force) and the mass of the object.
8.MS-ESS2-5. Interpret basic weather data to identify patterns in air mass interactions and the relationship of those patterns to local weather.
6.MS-ETS1-5(MA). Create visual representations of solutions to a design problem. Accurately interpret and apply scale and proportion to visual representations.
All designs are welcome!
SAIL CARS MOVE TO THE ATRIUM
October 2025
Working from their 1/4 scale final designs, students layout to full scale on salvaged lumber tarps.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Stepping the sails
Stepping the sails
October 2025
Cars rolled into the commons, giving teams a chance to make final adjustments before sail day.
Who doesn't love a photo op?
Wind speed and direction forecast, National Weather Service.
sail days!
sail days!
November 2025
Morning weather checks on the field have become a daily events as we look for those perfect late fall sail days. Beach House was becalmed on the track, while Anchor House navigated gusts of 25 mph. Ocean House had a mixed bag. Never a dull moment!
Where have all the bluebirds gone?
Where have all the bluebirds gone?
December, 2025
6th grade students take on the task of habitat restoration by building bluebird nest boxes.
Bluebirds are found only in North America. There are three species of bluebirds and all are secondary cavity nesters, meaning they rely on the abandoned cavities made by primary cavity nesters such as woodpeckers.
Clearing of land for buildings, highways and large scale agriculture has greatly reduced the supply of natural cavities for bluebirds. This habitat loss is compounded by the presence of two invasive species to North America, the European Starling and the House Sparrow. Both the European Starling and the House Sparrow are extremely aggressive secondary cavity nesters and will out-compete bluebirds for available cavities.
Since 2010, O’Maley students have been building and installing bluebird nest boxes around Cape Ann to provide suitable habitat for the bluebirds. If you see a bluebird, thank a 6th grader.
Massachusetts STE Standards:
6.MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution. Include potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
6.MS-ETS1-5(MA). Create visual representations of solutions to a design problem. Accurately interpret and apply scale and proportion to visual representations.
Clarification Statements:
• Examples of visual representations can include sketches, scaled drawings, and orthographic projections.
• Examples of scale can include ¼ʺ = 1ʹ0ʺ and 1 cm = 1 m.
6.MS-ETS1-6(MA). Communicate a design solution to an intended user, including design features and limitations of the solution. Clarification Statement:
• Examples of intended users can include students, parents, teachers, manufacturing personnel, engineers, and customers.
6.MS-ETS2-3(MA). Choose and safely use appropriate measuring tools, hand tools, fasteners, and common hand-held power tools used to construct a prototype.
Clarification Statements:
• Examples of measuring tools include a tape measure, a meter stick, and a ruler.
• Examples of hand tools include a hammer, a screwdriver, a wrench, and pliers.
• Examples of fasteners include nails, screws, nuts and bolts, staples, glue, and tape.
• Examples of common power tools include jigsaw, drill, and sander.
Bluebirds in an O'Maley nestbox on the Drake property in Essex. The Drakes report daily bluebird sitings!
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