3rd Grade QUEST

Imagineering

The Imagineering Unit is an interdisciplinary unit where students will explore the six basic simple machines. The third graders will be given STEM Engineering Simple Machine Challenges that will allow the students to learn about the characteristics and functions of an inclined plane, lever, screw, pulley, wheel & axle, and wedge. STEM is a way of learning that focuses on the skills needed to learn Science, Technology, Mathematics, and how the Engineering Design Process is used to achieve the outcome. Students will get to explore, design, and test their simple machine challenges. Students will use their imagination and their knowledge of simple machines to design and build a theme park as their final project.

Selfie Sculpture

This “Selfie Sculptures” activity was designed to facilitate meaningful conversations with gifted and talented students about their social and emotional learning and needs. With guidance and support, students were able to recognize social and emotional characteristics and needs within themselves and represent them in a “Selfie Sculpture.” These final sculptures included color-coded shapes that represent each student as an individual while encouraging creativity and a sense of community in our gifted classroom.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires is about creating amazing things and understanding that mistakes will be made along the way. It also shows how to regulate emotions to keep persevering through challenging situations. Third graders created their "most magnificent thing" out of makerspace materials.

STEM and the Engineering Process

Engineering Challenge: Can you create a chair that can hold a stuffed animal using only paper and tape?

Study of Simple Machines

How does a Wedge Work?

Students learned about the wedge by reading articles, taking notefacts, and adding a foldable to their lapbook. Then they completed an engineering challenge:

Can you create a puff boat that will travel the farthest distance on 5 puffs of air? The design must include a wedge!

What is a Lever?

QUEST students learned that a lever is a simple machine that makes it easier for us to lift things. ... Levers also help us to magnify the force made by our hands alone. Students read about levers and took notefacts. Then participated in the Button Launcher STEM Challenge.