2nd Grade

April/May 2026

This month we:

• Explored the concept of sink/float.

• Had a visit from Hackenberg Apiaries, Lewisburg, PA.

• Learned about the weather needed to utilize wind/clean energy and designed our own windmills. 

• Celebrated a whole school GLOW Week during the PSSAs. 

February 2026

This month we:

• We learned how to navigate Dash (robot) and GO App for Dash.

• Explored the STEM career of Civil Engineering as we used Dash to test traffic circles for efficiency.  

January 2026

This month we: 

• Explored events and repeat blocks

• Practiced our "debugging" skills

December 2025

This month we:

• Began our coding unit with an unplugged dance party. 

• Learned about events in coding (an action that causes something to happen- typically a clip, tap, or arrow). 

• Began block coding on code.org. 

November 2025

This month we:

• Built and tested hand pollinator designs. 

• Analyzed their test results to identify how they might improve their designs. 

• Worked collaboratively to produce the next iteration of their designs.

• Learned that agricultural engineers design technologies and techniques for growing plants and improving farming.

• Used the Engineering Design Process and their knowledge of pollination to engineer a tool that mimics natural pollinators by moving pollen from one flower to another.

October 2025

This month we:

• Began our Engineering Hand pollinators unit.  Students asked questions to learn more about why bees are the best pumpkin flower pollinators.  We used models to explore moving pollen from one flower to another, explored the best materials to use when making our own hand pollinators, and began writing plans to build our own design.  Next month, we will build and test our designs.  

August/September

The beginning of the school year included learning routines, STEM behaviors, teamwork, and the role of an engineer. 

Some of our favorite activities included:

• Learning about architects and how they use detailed plans, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thining to create designs (just like engineers!!).  

• After reading, The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale students designed their own houses, with unqiue materials.  Mrs. Barr used a small blower (The WOLF!) to test structure strength.  It was a fun way to encourage teamwork, architectural, and engineering skills! 

• Learning how to use various materials, tools, folds, and cuts to help us build and create.  This included learning a flange cut, ripping masking tape to size, using a hole puncher, brads, and paper clips, and taping materials so that they stand.  

Current Unit: Engineering Pumpkin Pollinators

Please check out the family letter to learn more about our current unit of study.