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  • Writer's picturePamela Hall

September STEM Snippets News

There's lots of learning happening in engineering class both hybrid and virtual students are thinking like engineers.


2nd and 3rd graders learned about careers working with cars and mechanical engineering. They are learning about simple machines. They drew blueprints for a car design and built a balloon car. It was super fun to see them innovate and problem solve. They were presented with the materials and the problem of creating a simple machine that could travel at least 6 feet. They used their amazing thinking skills to figure out how to create a car. (Some worked and some didn't. This helps students learn a step of the design process: test and improve.) Students learn failure isn't final; it's only a step toward figuring out how to do something better. We call it failing forward.

2nd and 3rd graders learned engineers solve problems and improve designs. They engaged in a relevant lesson: How can you improve your face mask design? (See pictures below.)

They thought about problems the masks cause like being too loose or for me, fogging up my glasses. Then, they imagined their ideal face masks. After that they created an innovative plan and built their prototypes. Lastly, they tested and improved their designs and shared with all. One student created defogging glasses with a mask attached. Another student created a tube with a filter. (The tube was to channel their voice like a megaphone so others can hear you talk with your mask on.) Another student created a fashion mask. (Just push a button and the mask design changes.) Another student created a bracelet mask.("Just take your mask off and wear it like a bracelet so you don't lose it.") Another student created a fan-mask. ("It's battery operated with fan blades to spin around and cool you off, because wearing a mask is hot.") All these and the other students' ideas were brilliant. It's wonderful to see creativity and problem solving.



This is what a virtual teaching set up looks like. 2nd & 3rd grade virtual students learned all about bridge building. They learned about a career in civil engineering. Click here to learn more about civil engineering careers. (This is a super resource to learn about careers in STEM for kids. It is kid friendly.)

Pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grade learned about shapes and patterns. They continue to learn that engineers use shapes and patterns to build and design structures. Students built structures with shapes. I loved seeing their 2-D and 3-D designs and structures as they explored and experimented with shapes. I also noticed they learned, on their own, principles of balance. They learned to be innovative by changing a stick. (craft stick) into something else. They learned engineers don't give up; they keep trying, and they improve on designs to solve problems.

"It's not a stick, it's a caterpillar." "It's not a stick, it's a tree." "It's not a stick, it's a person." It's not a stick, it's a...

Kindergarten and first grade students are exercising their creativity muscles as they redesign the purpose of a stick. Engineers are innovators.


Here is a super fun resource. I just love cooking with kids because it incorporates life skills such as: cooking, vocabulary, reading, measuring (math skills), science (changing states of matter), and so much more. Just click the picture below to access your free cookbook. (The cover states for the elementary classroom, but these are perfect to do at home as a family activity.)



Look at how much our lettuce has grown. Next, the students will make a salad and eat it. After that, they'll replant it. (We're hoping to grow enough to give away to those in need.)


Remember, all Encore teachers have a Clever page you can access for recordings of virtual live lessons and other resources. (These are all optional but enriching.)

I'm here for you. Please ask any questions you may have. You and your children are important.


Remember, engineering is everywhere you look.

Stay curious and ask questions.

Love,

Mrs. Hall




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