Be Safe. Be Kind. Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be AWESOME!
Our 3rd Grade STEM program empowers students to become confident problem-solvers and creative thinkers as they explore more advanced STEM concepts and tackle increasingly complex projects. We continue to emphasize hands-on learning, collaboration, and critical thinking, encouraging students to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Here's a glimpse into the exciting topics we'll be exploring:
Digital Citizenship with Google Interland: Building on previous years, we'll delve deeper into digital citizenship concepts using Google Interland, focusing on topics like online safety, privacy, and responsible online communication. (Explore Google Interland at https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/interland.)
Google Earth: Students will utilize Google Earth to explore the world, learning about geography, different cultures, and environmental issues. This fosters spatial reasoning and a global perspective.
Computer Programming: We'll expand coding skills, introducing more advanced programming concepts and potentially exploring different coding languages. Students will learn to design, develop, and debug their own programs. (Code.org https://code.org/ continues to be a valuable resource.)
Little Bits Electrical Engineering: Students will dive deeper into electrical engineering concepts using Little Bits, designing and building more complex circuits and interactive inventions.
(Explore Little Bits projects at LittleBits.com.)
Rigamajig: Students will use Rigamajig to tackle more challenging engineering projects, fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills as they design and build complex structures. (Learn more about Rigamajig at Rigamajig.com.)
Ozobot: These small, programmable robots introduce coding concepts in a fun and interactive way. Students will learn to program Ozobots using color-based codes and explore more advanced coding concepts. (Discover Ozobot and its educational applications at Ozobot.com.)
MinecraftEdu: This educational version of Minecraft provides a platform for collaborative learning and problem-solving. Students will work together on projects, design structures, and explore various STEM concepts within the game. (Explore Minecraft Education at https://education.minecraft.net/.)
3D Printing with Tinkercad: Students will refine their 3D design skills in Tinkercad, creating more intricate models and exploring advanced features of the software. They may also learn about the applications of 3D printing in various fields. (Explore Tinkercad at Tinkercad.com.)
Sphero Robotics: Students will continue to develop their coding skills with Sphero robots, learning to program more sophisticated movements and interactions. They may also explore sensor data and create their own robotic challenges. (Discover Sphero at Sphero.com.)
Engineering Design Process: We will explicitly focus on the engineering design process, guiding students through each stage from identifying a problem to designing, building, testing, and improving solutions.
Stop Motion Animation: Students will learn the principles of animation and create their own stop motion films. This project combines creativity, storytelling, and technical skills.
Crazy Machines (Rube Goldberg Machines): Students will design and build their own "crazy machines". This project challenges them to use simple machines and chain reactions to accomplish a simple task in a complex and creative way. This activity reinforces their understanding of physics concepts like energy transfer, motion, and cause and effect.
The Benefits of STEM in 3rd Grade:
STEM education in 3rd grade provides numerous benefits, helping students:
Develop Advanced Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Students learn to analyze complex problems, develop creative solutions, and evaluate their results.
Enhance Collaboration and Communication Skills: Group projects require students to work together effectively, communicate their ideas clearly, and listen to the perspectives of others.
Foster Creativity and Innovation: STEM projects provide opportunities for students to express their creativity, explore new ideas, and develop innovative solutions.
Strengthen Research and Inquiry Skills: Students learn to conduct research, gather information, and ask questions to deepen their understanding of STEM concepts.
Build Confidence and Resilience: By tackling challenging projects and overcoming obstacles, students develop confidence in their abilities and learn the importance of perseverance.
We are dedicated to providing a challenging and rewarding STEM experience for our 3rd-grade students, nurturing their curiosity, fostering their love of learning, and preparing them for future success in a world increasingly reliant on STEM skills.