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2nd Grade's Eureka! Zone
2nd Grade's Eureka! Zone
Character
Citizenship
Communication
Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Grade Level - 2
SOL/Standard - 2.1 Scientific & Engineering Practices The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by:
a) Asking questions and defining problems
b) planning and carrying out design, development, and creating solutions
e) developing and using models
f) obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
English Benchmark - Unit 5 - Inventions & Technology
2.8 The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts.
c) Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.
About the Learning Experience
About the Learning Experience
2nd graders began this ‘Eureka!’ unit in Library class. Mrs. Whittemore, librarian, read the book “The Boo Boos That Changed The World - A True Story About An Accidental Invention (Really!). With a focus on Critical Thinking skills, the librarian guided students through the problem-solution thought process illustrated in the picture book. Next, students explored ‘kid inventors’ with Mrs. Glanden, the Innovative Learning Coach, and again called upon their Critical Thinking skills to consider potential problems in their daily life that they might like to create an invention for. Following this, students researched inventions and technology using PebbleGo in both Library and their classroom, and used Critical Thinking to evaluate facts and make connections to the nonfiction information. Finally, students chose whether to continue solving for a problem in their daily life and design a prototype, or consider a specific type of person and their potential injuries - and design a band-aid graphic fitting for that scenario. The final product is a result of Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking. Student products were shared with classmates.
Reading and finding out good details to know what I was doing. Keeping up with the story was a challenge - but got it in the end. (Ryan A)
I learned how to copy something on the computer and trying to research and find things others don’t easily find. (Brian)
Our collaboration as teachers certainly had a positive impact on our students. What better way to demonstrate the necessity and benefits of teamwork than through our own partnership? When students realized that not one, but three teachers were involved in the assignment, it increased their accountability and motivation to perform well. Furthermore, each teacher had something unique to offer during the course of the project. The differences in our teaching styles helped to ensure students were engaged. We were able to support each student in unique ways to meet their individual needs. ~Mrs. Kim Slayton & Mrs. Kathy Bangs
Mrs. Whittemore launching the unit with the read aloud, "The Boos Boos That Changed The World: A True Story About An Accidental Invention (Really!!)"
All 2nd graders researched an invention or technology. This student chose to research Braille in PebbleGo - beginning in Library and completing during stations in class.
This student was inspired by her research and began to create a story in braille on paper. Mrs. Glanden brought her a braille stylus to create a true braille story.
Many students chose to design a band-aid with a specific user in mind using the design thinking process. This student designed a band-aid graphic with the students of Mehfoud in mind - and included the Panda mascot and the PRIDE motto.
After being inspired by kid inventors, several students considered a personal problem and a prototype for a solution. This student creates an interactive, digital calendar on Canva that his grandmom can click on special days, see a video of him, and a reminder to FaceTime him. 💞
This student's problem was that their playing card boxes are always falling apart.
The student learned how to create a 3D design in Tinkercad. The design was then printed using a 3D printer.
The .stl file from Tinkercad was uploaded into the 3D printer and here is the finished product! You can use the same file by clicking here.
All 2nd graders had an invention folder to contain their many ideas over the past 2 months.
Mr. Chris Brown, a HCPS Vision teacher, visited Mrs. Bangs' class to share more about braille and brought items for students to explore!
Anthony P. Mehfoud Elementary (K-2) MES
Thank you to Henrico Education Foundation (HEF) and the following teacher innovators who made this event possible:
Melissa Glanden, Innovative Learning Coach
Emily Whittemore, Librarian
Kathy Bangs, 2nd grade Teacher
Kate Chapman, 2nd grade Teacher
Kim Darling, Library Assistant
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