3rd Grade

updated 11/20/2025

3rd Grade GATE - Fall Highlights

This fall, our 3rd grade GATE students have been strengthening their problem solving, communication and engineering skills through a mix of hands on STEAM challenges, creative thinking tasks and our first science unit of the year.

Fall STEAM Challenges

We began the year with teamwork-based engineering challenges that helped students practice communication, collaboration and strategic thinking.

One of our first challenges involved moving marbles from one cup to another without touching the marbles or the cups with their hands. Students used strings attached to a rubber band and had to pull the strings in unison to open and close the rubber band. This required coordinated movements, shared decision making and clear communication. Students quickly realized that the only way to succeed was to work together and stay perfectly in sync.

Students also completed a Build a Shelter Challenge, where they had just one class period to design and construct a shelter for an animal of their choosing. They had to think quickly, select materials wisely and plan a structure that would be strong, functional and well designed under a tight time limit. Their creativity and problem solving in such a short window were impressive.

In addition to engineering challenges, students completed a Get to Know Me Tic Tac Toe board, which allowed them to share their interests, strengths, favorite activities and unique qualities. This helped me get to know them better as individuals and as learners.

Students also spent time strengthening their technology skills, practicing digital organization, using classroom tools and preparing for the multimedia tasks they will complete throughout the year.

Human Body Engineering Unit: The Skeletal System

Our first major unit focused on the skeletal system. Students learned about the axial and appendicular skeletons, the roles of joints and tendons and how bones work together to support movement, protection and structure.

To bring this learning to life, students engineered their own working hand models using straws, tape, paper and string. The straws acted as bones while the strings served as tendons that allowed the “fingers” to bend when pulled. Students loved testing their creations by making their hands grasp small objects and were excited to see how closely their models mimicked real human anatomy.

NJCGTP Annual STEAM Challenge: Do You Want to Build a Snowman

We are now working on our entries for the New Jersey Consortium for Gifted and Talented Programs annual STEAM Challenge, Do You Want to Build a Snowman. Students are creating their own three dimensional snow people or snow animals while following specific criteria, including height and size guidelines and using at least half recycled or repurposed materials.

A key part of the challenge focuses on the Seven Pillars of Character. Each student chose one Pillar of Character and designed their snow person to represent that pillar. Their early designs show thoughtful engineering, creativity and meaningful connections to the pillar they selected.

After Thanksgiving, students will begin writing scripts and recording their videos for the judges. Their videos will explain their snow person, the materials they used and the Pillar of Character they chose to highlight..  Below is the Google Form that must be completed in order for students to submit their videos for judging for the NJCGTP.