Jens Feiker 5th Grade

Meet the Maker: Jens Feiker

My name is Jens Feiker and I am a 5th grade at Poplar Creek Elementary. We departmentalize and my focus is Social Studies and Science. Maker culture is important because it gives students an opportunity to find success in solving real-world problems .

Provocation: I posed this problem to my students, "The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) needs your help to identify problems affecting an ecosystem. Design, build, and test a solution to one identified problem in that ecosystem."

Maker Plan: 5th Grade Ecosystems

MAKER PLAN Please view my plan to see how I purposefully tied in skill builders to boost creativity which allowed kids to be successful when building their prototypes. Know that this plan is always evolving as I reflect and learn through this process.

What we are making, Why we are Making, Who we are Making for:

We are creating a product to solve a problem affecting an ecosystem.

We are designing a product help learn about he importance of protecting our ecosystems.

We are making for the different environments found in ecosystems.

Maker Skill Builders & Highlights

Team Building

As a group students had to try and get the yardstick to the floor without removing their fingers.

Prototyping

Using limited supplies the students had to develop, build, and test a product to distribute to consumers.

Background Knowledge

Students work independently and in groups to learn about the different issues affecting their ecosystem.

The Process

Throughout the project students design, test, reevaluate their work. Keeping track of modifications as they go.

Student Product Samples

In progress

Additional Teacher Resources & Reproducibles:

Must know tips for Teachers:

1. Utilize digital learning team.

2. Have students plan for creating and have a list of necessary supplies ahead of time.

3. Make sure students stop to evaluate their work along the way and re-access the result.

4. Remind students that this is a process and mistakes are a good thing because we can learn from them.

5. Be flexible, allow the project to change course.

6. Don't be afraid to try something new and learn right along with your students.