Fourth Grade Explores Squishy Circuits

As part of their Next Generation Science Standards, fourth grade is studying electricity, and how one form of energy (in this case chemical) can get transformed into another kind of energy (light). Squishy Circuits use conductive dough, which functions like a wire, and when in combination with LED lights, creates simple or complex circuits.

6th Grade Uses GoAnimate to Demonstrate their Life Science Learning

Here are just a few examples of some animated videos that 6th Grade students made in STEM, in conjunction with their Life Science studies.  

These videos are set up as "Socratic dialogues," i.e. one character asks questions and the other character answers them. The students enjoyed making them as a way to demonstrate their learning. This is a really good animation program that has been renamed Vyond.  Unfortunately they have discontinued offering accounts for schools.

 

4th Grade Makes Paper Circuits Using Copper Tape

Robotics in K-2 WIN

The STEM Lab recently received a $2000 grant from the VWR Foundation (LINK) for the purchase of a classroom set of LEGO WeDo 2.0 Robotics kits.  Since January, students have been using these tools to explore LEGO construction that can incorporate motors, a variety of sensors, and coding.  Students are using the school's ipads to run the programs.  Second graders had a couple of weeks of robotics classes first to train them to be "teacher leaders" in the K1 WIN enrichment class.  It has been going very well, and the students have been enjoying this work.

Thank you VWR Foundation!

Second grade student acting as coach and teacher.

second grade student teacher

First Grade Students Using Knot Boards

Kindergarten Rotates Through Different STEM Construction Stations