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QUEST Teacher: Ms. L. Mata
Schedule:
Schedule:
Monday 12:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Monday 12:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Bridges is an interdisciplinary unit designed to foster an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and creative problem solving. Students will become engaged in the topic as they complete various hands-on challenges and participate in classroom discussions. Then they will choose a specific type of bridge to research, using the Independent Investigation Method. Finally, students will construct their bridge and present their findings at the end of the year QUEST Showcase.
The 2019-2020 school year has been a busy one for our 5th graders! Here's a look at what we're working on...
The 2019-2020 school year has been a busy one for our 5th graders! Here's a look at what we're working on...
STEM Challenge: Towers with Cups & Sticks
STEM Challenge: Towers with Cups & Sticks
Our first day of QUEST was all about planning, working together, and most of all practicing our Habit of Mind on persisting (not giving up!). The challenge was to create the tallest tower using only 2 materials, cups and popsicle sticks, and following a set of rules.
Each student had to sketch and label their own idea for the structure. Then they shared and discussed with their group to create an overall plan.
Building then measuring and when the original plan didn't work, more building and measuring...
Introduction Activity: Abstract Name
Introduction Activity: Abstract Name
Positive and negative shapes can work together in an intriguing way to create a visual interest in a piece of artwork. By coloring the positive and negative shapes in a new way, students created an interesting piece of abstract art.
Bridge designers... Whose paper bridge design can hold the most pennies?
Bridge designers... Whose paper bridge design can hold the most pennies?
The constraints:
- only 2 sheets of paper (no tape or glue)
- span of 6 inches
- bridge must be at least 3 inches wide
Structures Getting a Broader Perspective:
Structures Getting a Broader Perspective:
Our fifth graders were introduced to various structures and landmarks around the world. They chose one that they were interested in to research and create an informational poster about it. Information included location, shapes used, materials needed, and the architect.
Math in Structures & Bridges
Math in Structures & Bridges
Anyone working in the fields of engineering and architecture needs a strong foundation in math. After engaging in a lesson about shapes, angles and protractors, our fifth graders created tetrahedral kites to better observe related math concepts. It took some patience, but they got the job done!
Angles & Lines of Symmetry
Angles & Lines of Symmetry
QUEST students built tetrahedral kites to apply the knowledge of angles and symmetry. We then tested their structure to see whether their design was successful.
Candy Bar Scale Drawing
Candy Bar Scale Drawing
Students worked on solving problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a image and reproducing a drawing at a different scale.
Monsters Under Bridges!
Monsters Under Bridges!
Students are imagining, identifying, creating, and describing different types of bridges using the K'Nex Education STEM Building Kits. After building each bridge, they will create a short story of the "monster" and its travels to the various bridges. The story must include key features of each bridge design.
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