This week's topic is: Computer Science
This week's question is: In honor of computer science education week once more, what is a bug in a program, and what does it mean to debug the code?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
https://code.org/
-Mrs. A
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Sunday, December 4, 2016
STEM Question of the Week: Week 9
This week's topic is: Computer Science
This week's question is: In honor of computer science education week, what is an algorithm and a program in computer science?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
This week's question is: In honor of computer science education week, what is an algorithm and a program in computer science?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
STEM Class updates: Week of December 5, 2016
Dear families, teachers, and students,
It has been a very busy few weeks in the STEM classroom. I hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving break with friends and family. As I reflected on the year that has passed, I realized how thankful I am to work in such a amazing school in such a wonderful and education-minded community. I feel lucky to come to Wentworth and teach these inspiring children everyday!
Grade level updates below!
Grade 5
5th graders are wrapping up several weeks of learning the ins and outs of 3D modeling in Tinkercad. Students learned how to translate, navigate, nudge, rotate, scale, align and mirror shapes in Tinkercad. Students also learned boolean operations of adding and subtracting 3D shapes in Tinkercad. Students will now move on to using the engineering design process to imagine, plan, create, and improve and final 3D design to be printed in our 3D printers. Choice projects include baseball field models, name keychains, miniature log cabins, and animal faces.
Stay tuned for pictures!
Grades 3 and 4
3rd and 4th graders are continuing to be earthquake engineers and have finally finished testing model buildings on our model shake tables to create earthquake-safe building codes. Students tested their models for the best shape and size, the best foundation, and the best use of braces between support beams tested at a 7.0 magnitude simulated earthquake. Students are now planning a final earthquake safe model building using the building codes they created in testing. Final buildings will need to meet certain design criteria and budget constraints depending on the type of building being constructed. Choices include a hospital, a library, apartment building, or house.
Below are some pictures of the models in earthquake testing,
December 5th kicks off computer science education week! I look forward to participating in Wentworth's Hour of Code events the week before winter vacation!
Have a great week everyone!
-Mrs. Athearn
It has been a very busy few weeks in the STEM classroom. I hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving break with friends and family. As I reflected on the year that has passed, I realized how thankful I am to work in such a amazing school in such a wonderful and education-minded community. I feel lucky to come to Wentworth and teach these inspiring children everyday!
Grade level updates below!
Grade 5
5th graders are wrapping up several weeks of learning the ins and outs of 3D modeling in Tinkercad. Students learned how to translate, navigate, nudge, rotate, scale, align and mirror shapes in Tinkercad. Students also learned boolean operations of adding and subtracting 3D shapes in Tinkercad. Students will now move on to using the engineering design process to imagine, plan, create, and improve and final 3D design to be printed in our 3D printers. Choice projects include baseball field models, name keychains, miniature log cabins, and animal faces.
Stay tuned for pictures!
Grades 3 and 4
3rd and 4th graders are continuing to be earthquake engineers and have finally finished testing model buildings on our model shake tables to create earthquake-safe building codes. Students tested their models for the best shape and size, the best foundation, and the best use of braces between support beams tested at a 7.0 magnitude simulated earthquake. Students are now planning a final earthquake safe model building using the building codes they created in testing. Final buildings will need to meet certain design criteria and budget constraints depending on the type of building being constructed. Choices include a hospital, a library, apartment building, or house.
Below are some pictures of the models in earthquake testing,
December 5th kicks off computer science education week! I look forward to participating in Wentworth's Hour of Code events the week before winter vacation!
Have a great week everyone!
-Mrs. Athearn
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
STEM Question of the Week: Week 8
This week's topic is: Earthquakes
This week's question is:
3rd and 4th graders have recently been studying earthquake engineering. We are learning that an earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault where tectonic plates are moving very slowly on the hot molten rock core of the earth. What do scientists call the places where two plates crash and crunch together?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
This week's question is:
3rd and 4th graders have recently been studying earthquake engineering. We are learning that an earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault where tectonic plates are moving very slowly on the hot molten rock core of the earth. What do scientists call the places where two plates crash and crunch together?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
Sunday, November 13, 2016
STEM Question of the Week: Week 6
This week's topic is: 3D Design
This week's question is: What does CAD stand for in Tinkercad?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
This week's question is: What does CAD stand for in Tinkercad?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
Sunday, November 6, 2016
STEM Question of the Week: Week 5
This week's topic is: Daylight Saving Time
This week's question is: What is the basic purpose of Daylight Saving Time and when was it first signed into law in the United States?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
This week's question is: What is the basic purpose of Daylight Saving Time and when was it first signed into law in the United States?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
Sunday, October 30, 2016
STEM Class updates Oct. 31st-Nov.4th, 2016
Hi friends! Here's an update of what's happening in Mrs. Athearn's STEM Class:
Grade 5: 3D Printing and Tinkercad
I'm super excited to announce that Mr. Johnson and I got one of our 3D printers up and running last week! We've been making test prints to find the right dimensions for printing student designs for our 5th graders as they continue to learn 3D modeling in Tinkercad. Mrs. MacKenzie's class also got to help us out with test printing last week. 3D printing is a wonderful way to engage the students in learning, because they are so motivated to see their imaginations come to life in 3D form, however due to the time and cost associated with 3D printing, it is important to scale designs down to a small size to ensure that all students can print at least one project this year. I'll try to post some pictures of our designs as we print them.
To see what your child is creating, have them log on to their Project Ignite account from this url:
https://projectignite.autodesk.com/
Grades 3 and 4: Earthquake Engineering
Last week, students in grades 3 and 4 learned about the the need for earthquake engineering and the 2010 earthquake in the island country of Haiti. We learned that Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and most buildings, large and small, were completely destroyed. We also learned that part of why Haiti was so devastated was because construction codes, or safety rules for building, were not being enforced. Students also got to experiment with a shake table. Engineers use shake tables to test if buildings will survive an earthquake or not. Students will use shake tables again this week to test model structures and collect data about what types of building designs will be the most earthquake resistant. Students will use this data to come up with their own model construction codes that will be used to build a final earthquake resistant structure in a few weeks.
To see a life-size shake table in action at the University of California-San Diego, click on the link below:
https://youtu.be/duzcOkzwpDo?list=PLyy_4z9b5NrwmJYv2wBWuJT2DEsZwwUqn
Happy Halloween Everyone!
-Mrs. Athearn :)
Grade 5: 3D Printing and Tinkercad
I'm super excited to announce that Mr. Johnson and I got one of our 3D printers up and running last week! We've been making test prints to find the right dimensions for printing student designs for our 5th graders as they continue to learn 3D modeling in Tinkercad. Mrs. MacKenzie's class also got to help us out with test printing last week. 3D printing is a wonderful way to engage the students in learning, because they are so motivated to see their imaginations come to life in 3D form, however due to the time and cost associated with 3D printing, it is important to scale designs down to a small size to ensure that all students can print at least one project this year. I'll try to post some pictures of our designs as we print them.
To see what your child is creating, have them log on to their Project Ignite account from this url:
https://projectignite.autodesk.com/
Grades 3 and 4: Earthquake Engineering
Last week, students in grades 3 and 4 learned about the the need for earthquake engineering and the 2010 earthquake in the island country of Haiti. We learned that Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake and most buildings, large and small, were completely destroyed. We also learned that part of why Haiti was so devastated was because construction codes, or safety rules for building, were not being enforced. Students also got to experiment with a shake table. Engineers use shake tables to test if buildings will survive an earthquake or not. Students will use shake tables again this week to test model structures and collect data about what types of building designs will be the most earthquake resistant. Students will use this data to come up with their own model construction codes that will be used to build a final earthquake resistant structure in a few weeks.
To see a life-size shake table in action at the University of California-San Diego, click on the link below:
https://youtu.be/duzcOkzwpDo?list=PLyy_4z9b5NrwmJYv2wBWuJT2DEsZwwUqn
Happy Halloween Everyone!
-Mrs. Athearn :)
STEM Question of the Week: Week 4
This week's topic is: Earthquakes in America
This week's question is: Where and in what year did the strongest recorded earthquake in the United States occur? It was recorded as a 9.2 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale!
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
This week's question is: Where and in what year did the strongest recorded earthquake in the United States occur? It was recorded as a 9.2 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale!
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
Sunday, October 23, 2016
STEM Question of the Week: Week 3
This week's topic is: Astronomy Current Events
This week's question is: What annual meteor shower peaked last week firing up the night sky with dust from Halley's Comet?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
This week's question is: What annual meteor shower peaked last week firing up the night sky with dust from Halley's Comet?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
https://kiddle.co
-Mrs. A
Thursday, October 20, 2016
STEM Question of the Week: Week 2
Hi friends!
It has been such a busy week in the STEM classroom. Between curriculum planning and having two sick children at home, I completely forgot to post the STEM Question of the Week here on my blog! My sincerest apologies!
The STEM Question of the Week was posted Monday on students' Google Classrooms, so remember you can always find it there too!
Here you go!
Q: In computer science, what does CPU stand for?
Here are some resources to research the question:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
http://kiddle.co/
-Mrs. Athearn
It has been such a busy week in the STEM classroom. Between curriculum planning and having two sick children at home, I completely forgot to post the STEM Question of the Week here on my blog! My sincerest apologies!
The STEM Question of the Week was posted Monday on students' Google Classrooms, so remember you can always find it there too!
Here you go!
Q: In computer science, what does CPU stand for?
Here are some resources to research the question:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
http://kiddle.co/
-Mrs. Athearn
Sunday, October 16, 2016
STEM Class updates 10/17-10/21, 2016
Hi students, teachers, and families,
After attending the ACTEM (the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine) conference last Friday, I am feeling energized and excited to share new technology resources with my students and colleagues of Wentworth. I was especially excited to attend a learning session on cad design and 3D printing. I learned that the 3D design tools we are using here at Wentworth are the optimal programs for student 3D design and printing. I also gained new insights into how we can utilize this amazing technology for student learning---more info to come in the future!
Grade level updates:
Third and Fourth
This week I will be trying out a new interactive lesson tool called Peardeck with third and fourth graders as they are introduced into the field of Earthquake Engineering. Students will also explore use of a special tool that earthquake engineers use called a shake table.
Fifth
This week, fifth graders will begin a lesson in Project Ignite (our cad learning portal) called "Let's Learn Tinkercad". Students will be able to practice their 3D design skills in Tinkercad by learning how to: navigate shapes on x,y,z axes, use shape menus, and scale, rotate, group, and manipulate shapes.
Stay tuned for Monday's STEM Question of the Week.
-Mrs. Athearn
After attending the ACTEM (the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine) conference last Friday, I am feeling energized and excited to share new technology resources with my students and colleagues of Wentworth. I was especially excited to attend a learning session on cad design and 3D printing. I learned that the 3D design tools we are using here at Wentworth are the optimal programs for student 3D design and printing. I also gained new insights into how we can utilize this amazing technology for student learning---more info to come in the future!
Grade level updates:
Third and Fourth
This week I will be trying out a new interactive lesson tool called Peardeck with third and fourth graders as they are introduced into the field of Earthquake Engineering. Students will also explore use of a special tool that earthquake engineers use called a shake table.
Fifth
This week, fifth graders will begin a lesson in Project Ignite (our cad learning portal) called "Let's Learn Tinkercad". Students will be able to practice their 3D design skills in Tinkercad by learning how to: navigate shapes on x,y,z axes, use shape menus, and scale, rotate, group, and manipulate shapes.
Stay tuned for Monday's STEM Question of the Week.
-Mrs. Athearn
Monday, October 10, 2016
STEM Question of the Week
Participation is completely optional. Research the answers with your family or during STEM class if you finish your work early. Post your answer to the STEM Question of the Week in the comments of this blog post, on your child's Google Classroom, or bring a written answer to Mrs. Athearn in B101--Green STEM lab
Answers will be accepted until 2:45 on Friday. Winner will receive a certificate and pencil from Mrs. Athearn.
This week's topic is: Women in Computer Science
This week's question is: What is Ada Lovelace best known for?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
-Mrs. Athearn
Answers will be accepted until 2:45 on Friday. Winner will receive a certificate and pencil from Mrs. Athearn.
This week's topic is: Women in Computer Science
This week's question is: What is Ada Lovelace best known for?
Check out these research tools from our Learning Commons to find your answer:
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wentworth/learning-commons/online-resources
-Mrs. Athearn
STEM Class Updates for Oct.10-Oct.14
Hi students, teachers, and families,
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders did a great job last week setting up their Digital STEM Notebooks in Google Slides. Digital STEM Notebooks will be how students record and represent what they learn in STEM class this year. The notebook is digital so students can receive feedback and comments from me, share and collaborate on entries with classmates, and have a completely paperless, polished portfolio of STEM learning by the end of the year.
3rd and 4th graders will use their digital notebooks this week as they investigate what makes something a technology.
5th graders will be working on setting up their Project Ignite accounts this week, Project Ignite is a student and teacher portal for Tinkercad---the 3D modeling program that we use to create designs and prototypes in our CubePro 3D printers. 5th graders will be learning the ins and outs of 3D designing in Tinkercad for the next several weeks. Students will use their skills for a special design project for our school garden---more on that in the future!
Check out Project Ignite here: https://projectignite.autodesk.com/
-Mrs. Athearn
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders did a great job last week setting up their Digital STEM Notebooks in Google Slides. Digital STEM Notebooks will be how students record and represent what they learn in STEM class this year. The notebook is digital so students can receive feedback and comments from me, share and collaborate on entries with classmates, and have a completely paperless, polished portfolio of STEM learning by the end of the year.
3rd and 4th graders will use their digital notebooks this week as they investigate what makes something a technology.
5th graders will be working on setting up their Project Ignite accounts this week, Project Ignite is a student and teacher portal for Tinkercad---the 3D modeling program that we use to create designs and prototypes in our CubePro 3D printers. 5th graders will be learning the ins and outs of 3D designing in Tinkercad for the next several weeks. Students will use their skills for a special design project for our school garden---more on that in the future!
Check out Project Ignite here: https://projectignite.autodesk.com/
-Mrs. Athearn
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Welcome back to STEM Class!
Dear students, teachers and families,
What an exciting first few weeks we've had here in STEM class! We've been working on the following engineering learning goal for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders:
I can use the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to create a technology that solves a problem with a specific set of criteria and constraints.
To meet this learning goal, Wentworth students have participated in two fun engineering challenges. We built model towers to save animals living along an alligator swamp, and we created catapults to use in a catapult painting project to solve Mrs. Athearn's problem of having blank and boring bulletin boards. The kids have also learned about potential and kinetic energy as they created, improved, and tested their catapults.
Check this blog often for weekly updates of the exciting things happening in STEM class this year! We'll be creating, tinkering, designing, engineering, and using lots of fun technologies.
Science Question of the Week
I will be posting a Science Question of the Week every week starting October 10, 2016. Questions will be posted on Monday on this blog, and students can research the answer in their choice time at school or at home with their families. Students can post their answer in the comments of the blog post, Google Classroom or bring a written answer to Mrs. Athearn in B101. Answers will be accepted up until 2:45 on Fridays and winners will be displayed on the Spinetix TVs the following week. Winners will be determined by having the first correct response delivered to Mrs. A. This is of course an optional and fun activity that kids can choose to participate in.
-Mrs. Athearn :)
What an exciting first few weeks we've had here in STEM class! We've been working on the following engineering learning goal for all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders:
I can use the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to create a technology that solves a problem with a specific set of criteria and constraints.
To meet this learning goal, Wentworth students have participated in two fun engineering challenges. We built model towers to save animals living along an alligator swamp, and we created catapults to use in a catapult painting project to solve Mrs. Athearn's problem of having blank and boring bulletin boards. The kids have also learned about potential and kinetic energy as they created, improved, and tested their catapults.
Check this blog often for weekly updates of the exciting things happening in STEM class this year! We'll be creating, tinkering, designing, engineering, and using lots of fun technologies.
Science Question of the Week
I will be posting a Science Question of the Week every week starting October 10, 2016. Questions will be posted on Monday on this blog, and students can research the answer in their choice time at school or at home with their families. Students can post their answer in the comments of the blog post, Google Classroom or bring a written answer to Mrs. Athearn in B101. Answers will be accepted up until 2:45 on Fridays and winners will be displayed on the Spinetix TVs the following week. Winners will be determined by having the first correct response delivered to Mrs. A. This is of course an optional and fun activity that kids can choose to participate in.
-Mrs. Athearn :)
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Green Engineering Projects Update!!
Hello friends!
The students of Wentworth have been very busy working on their green engineering projects in STEM class. I am really impressed with the different ways that students are choosing to use recycled materials to create inventions that will soon be "powered up" by our LittleBits electronics, if they have not added LittleBits already. I am equally impressed with the students' creativity using Tinkercad to create 3D logos with Earth Day messages. We will be wrapping up these projects in the next two weeks, and then we will be finishing out our year with some smaller LittleBits' projects including making bubble machines and art-bots.
Check out some photos and videos of the students' hard work below!
-Mrs. A
Little Drummer Invention powered up by LittleBits servo motors!
The students of Wentworth have been very busy working on their green engineering projects in STEM class. I am really impressed with the different ways that students are choosing to use recycled materials to create inventions that will soon be "powered up" by our LittleBits electronics, if they have not added LittleBits already. I am equally impressed with the students' creativity using Tinkercad to create 3D logos with Earth Day messages. We will be wrapping up these projects in the next two weeks, and then we will be finishing out our year with some smaller LittleBits' projects including making bubble machines and art-bots.
Check out some photos and videos of the students' hard work below!
-Mrs. A
Little Drummer Invention powered up by LittleBits servo motors!
Recycled Kitty Car!
Basketball Court!
Lego Car!
Recycled Creature Car!
Petite Recycled Car!
Wolf Invasive Species Logo Created in Tinkercad
Earth Day Message Logos Printing in 3D Printer!
Friday, April 29, 2016
Update for the week of April 25, 2016
Hello teachers, students, and families,
I hope everyone had a nice spring break! I took some time to celebrate Earth Day over vacation and do some planting in my hay-bale gardens and clean up some litter around my neighborhood. I heard from many students about other ways they celebrated Earth Day like planting trees, conserving water or energy, and just spending time in nature. As we continue to study Green Engineering in STEM class, I hope students and families will be inspired to make small changes that can help protect and preserve our natural resources here in Scarborough and across the beautiful state of Maine. Below is an update on grades 3 and 4 STEM learning for this week!
Monday's and Friday's Classes:
Third and Fourth graders are continuing to work on their 3D printing project with an Earth Day/Green Living theme. The kids are learning the basic tools and functions of Tinkercad---our free online 3D modeling program, and using an online research tool--PowerKnowledge Life Science, to complete research of their choice about a Green Living topic to promote an Earth Day message. Kids choose a topic about Green Living and environmental science of their choice like global warming, recycling, or using energy efficient technologies, learn about that topic, and come up with a simple message that can be represented on a 3D logo design that we create in Tinkercad. The message should be simple and realistic---a small change or difference that everyday people like us can make to help the Earth.
Tuesday's, Wednesday's, and Thursday's Classes:
Third and Fourth graders are continuing on to the CREATE step of the Engineering Design Process as they design a recycled invention inspired by the Recycling Marketplace in Senegal, Africa. Kids collected recycled materials, and then imagined and planned the criteria for what their invention must do or be. Next, students made a detailed plan for creating their invention as well as, a plan for "Powering-Up" their invention using our LittleBits electronic modules. Some kids are making cars, model houses, and even a donut machine! I can't wait to see these inventions next week as we add artistic detail by painting and decorating the inventions.
Have a great weekend all!
Mrs. A
I hope everyone had a nice spring break! I took some time to celebrate Earth Day over vacation and do some planting in my hay-bale gardens and clean up some litter around my neighborhood. I heard from many students about other ways they celebrated Earth Day like planting trees, conserving water or energy, and just spending time in nature. As we continue to study Green Engineering in STEM class, I hope students and families will be inspired to make small changes that can help protect and preserve our natural resources here in Scarborough and across the beautiful state of Maine. Below is an update on grades 3 and 4 STEM learning for this week!
Monday's and Friday's Classes:
Third and Fourth graders are continuing to work on their 3D printing project with an Earth Day/Green Living theme. The kids are learning the basic tools and functions of Tinkercad---our free online 3D modeling program, and using an online research tool--PowerKnowledge Life Science, to complete research of their choice about a Green Living topic to promote an Earth Day message. Kids choose a topic about Green Living and environmental science of their choice like global warming, recycling, or using energy efficient technologies, learn about that topic, and come up with a simple message that can be represented on a 3D logo design that we create in Tinkercad. The message should be simple and realistic---a small change or difference that everyday people like us can make to help the Earth.
Tuesday's, Wednesday's, and Thursday's Classes:
Third and Fourth graders are continuing on to the CREATE step of the Engineering Design Process as they design a recycled invention inspired by the Recycling Marketplace in Senegal, Africa. Kids collected recycled materials, and then imagined and planned the criteria for what their invention must do or be. Next, students made a detailed plan for creating their invention as well as, a plan for "Powering-Up" their invention using our LittleBits electronic modules. Some kids are making cars, model houses, and even a donut machine! I can't wait to see these inventions next week as we add artistic detail by painting and decorating the inventions.
Have a great weekend all!
Mrs. A
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Updates for Trimester 3: Green Engineering and 3D Design: April 7, 2016
Hello students, teachers, and families,
First of all I want to give everyone an update of the Trimester 3 STEM Class and Curriculum Schedule. Trimester 3 brings 22 classes in grades 3 and 4 to my STEM classroom. With this amount of students, and limited supplies, I have organized the trimester to ensure that each student gets to participate in some exciting hands-on engineering challenges, as well as, technology-immersion projects that force the kids to innovate and think creatively. The overall theme for everyone is Green Engineering! Here is a breakdown:
Monday and Friday classes
4 weeks working on designing a 3D logo in Tinkercad for Earth Day
3-4 weeks working on a designing a Recycled Racer Car using recycled materials
1-2 weeks for LittleBits invention project
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday classes
4 weeks working on designing a Recycled Racer Car or Recycled Invention using recycled materials
3-4 weeks using the LittleBits to "power up" Recycled Racer or Invention
1-2 weeks for 3D designing in Sketch-Up
Notices have gone home for classes that are in need of recycled materials for the Recycled Racer Car or Recycled Invention project. Students can still bring in items that are free of peanuts or tree-nuts, glass or sharp edges. Cardboard boxes and plastic bottles or containers work best for this project, but the kids should bring in anything they think could work for wheels and axles or any other part of their project. Future notices will be sent home for the other classes that will be working on this project later in May.
As always, feel free to drop me an email at sathearn@scarboroughschools.org with any questions!
-Mrs. A
First of all I want to give everyone an update of the Trimester 3 STEM Class and Curriculum Schedule. Trimester 3 brings 22 classes in grades 3 and 4 to my STEM classroom. With this amount of students, and limited supplies, I have organized the trimester to ensure that each student gets to participate in some exciting hands-on engineering challenges, as well as, technology-immersion projects that force the kids to innovate and think creatively. The overall theme for everyone is Green Engineering! Here is a breakdown:
Monday and Friday classes
4 weeks working on designing a 3D logo in Tinkercad for Earth Day
3-4 weeks working on a designing a Recycled Racer Car using recycled materials
1-2 weeks for LittleBits invention project
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday classes
4 weeks working on designing a Recycled Racer Car or Recycled Invention using recycled materials
3-4 weeks using the LittleBits to "power up" Recycled Racer or Invention
1-2 weeks for 3D designing in Sketch-Up
Notices have gone home for classes that are in need of recycled materials for the Recycled Racer Car or Recycled Invention project. Students can still bring in items that are free of peanuts or tree-nuts, glass or sharp edges. Cardboard boxes and plastic bottles or containers work best for this project, but the kids should bring in anything they think could work for wheels and axles or any other part of their project. Future notices will be sent home for the other classes that will be working on this project later in May.
As always, feel free to drop me an email at sathearn@scarboroughschools.org with any questions!
-Mrs. A
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Green Engineering is off to a start!
Hello teachers, students, and families,
This week all STEM classes in grades 3 and 4 were introduced to our new field of engineering. We are now embarking on a journey to learn about Green Engineering! Green engineering is sometimes referred to environmental engineering, and the focus is on designing technologies that are earth-friendly. That could mean technologies are created from recycled materials, or technologies that can be recycled at the end of their life-span. Green engineering also is focused on renewable energies like wind and solar power. Green engineers strive to solve problems that affect our environment and the health of our planet.
Students will be engaging in a long-term project to create a recycled invention---like a car racer or toy. We are connecting this learning to the recycling marketplace in the African country of Senegal, and how the people of Senegal turn trash into treasure that can be sold in their informal recycling economy.
To make a recycled invention, students need to gather some materials. I am asking that students save recycled materials that they might otherwise put in their weekly recycling pick-up. Students should bring recycled materials into STEM class for our "Scrap Market". We need to gather a good amount of materials for students to use to make their recycled racers or toys. I recently sent home a newsletter explaining this project.
Students should:
1. Save things like 2 liter plastic bottles, small food boxes, berry and tomato baskets, egg cartons, cereal boxes, and any other recycled materials they think would make a good building material for wheels, axles, car bodies, toy parts etc .
2. Make sure recycled materials are clean and rinsed out, and do not have sharp edges. NO GLASS PLEASE!
3. Drop off recycled building materials in the Purple or Green STEM labs in the morning on the way to homeroom.
I thank you so much for your support in our Green Engineering Recycled Invention project!
-Mrs. Athearn
This week all STEM classes in grades 3 and 4 were introduced to our new field of engineering. We are now embarking on a journey to learn about Green Engineering! Green engineering is sometimes referred to environmental engineering, and the focus is on designing technologies that are earth-friendly. That could mean technologies are created from recycled materials, or technologies that can be recycled at the end of their life-span. Green engineering also is focused on renewable energies like wind and solar power. Green engineers strive to solve problems that affect our environment and the health of our planet.
Students will be engaging in a long-term project to create a recycled invention---like a car racer or toy. We are connecting this learning to the recycling marketplace in the African country of Senegal, and how the people of Senegal turn trash into treasure that can be sold in their informal recycling economy.
To make a recycled invention, students need to gather some materials. I am asking that students save recycled materials that they might otherwise put in their weekly recycling pick-up. Students should bring recycled materials into STEM class for our "Scrap Market". We need to gather a good amount of materials for students to use to make their recycled racers or toys. I recently sent home a newsletter explaining this project.
Students should:
1. Save things like 2 liter plastic bottles, small food boxes, berry and tomato baskets, egg cartons, cereal boxes, and any other recycled materials they think would make a good building material for wheels, axles, car bodies, toy parts etc .
2. Make sure recycled materials are clean and rinsed out, and do not have sharp edges. NO GLASS PLEASE!
3. Drop off recycled building materials in the Purple or Green STEM labs in the morning on the way to homeroom.
I thank you so much for your support in our Green Engineering Recycled Invention project!
-Mrs. Athearn
Monday, March 14, 2016
Welcome back 3/4 blended and 4th grade classes!
Hello again!
Trimester 3 begins this week, and I am so excited to welcome back my 4th graders and 3rd graders from 3/4 blended classes! This trimester our theme will be Green Engineering. We will learn about how engineers have to think about impacts their technologies could have on our fragile environment, as well as, how engineers solve environmental problems. We will also be learning about the West African country of Senegal and how their recycling marketplaces allow the people there to reuse materials that would otherwise be wasted to create new products. Recycling is a huge part of Sengalese culture, and we will see how we can also use recycled materials to create new products in STEM class.
Parents and Families: Stay tuned for a request for recyclable materials that will be needed in our upcoming engineering projects!
Also, as a general reminder, anyone who would like to have a conference with Mrs. Athearn, please send an email to sathearn@scarboroughschools.org or schedule a date in PTC Wizard. I will be available for conferences the week of March 21st.
-Mrs. Athearn
Trimester 3 begins this week, and I am so excited to welcome back my 4th graders and 3rd graders from 3/4 blended classes! This trimester our theme will be Green Engineering. We will learn about how engineers have to think about impacts their technologies could have on our fragile environment, as well as, how engineers solve environmental problems. We will also be learning about the West African country of Senegal and how their recycling marketplaces allow the people there to reuse materials that would otherwise be wasted to create new products. Recycling is a huge part of Sengalese culture, and we will see how we can also use recycled materials to create new products in STEM class.
Parents and Families: Stay tuned for a request for recyclable materials that will be needed in our upcoming engineering projects!
Also, as a general reminder, anyone who would like to have a conference with Mrs. Athearn, please send an email to sathearn@scarboroughschools.org or schedule a date in PTC Wizard. I will be available for conferences the week of March 21st.
-Mrs. Athearn
Update for week of March 7th, 2016: Grade 3
Hi Friends!
Here's a quick update on grade 3 aeronautical engineering!
First, most third graders were able to finish creating their final aeronautical technology----a flying technology that could carry a certain amount of photographers and stay in the air a certain amount of seconds in order to take aerial photos of an area in the Empty Quarter.
Groups each picked an area in the Empty Quarter and their air-time and photographer criteria was based on which area they chose. Each area also had a constraint on how many materials could be used.
The kids did a great job staying within their material constraints to build this technology---something they have not had to consider so greatly before. I was able to drop or launch technologies from a tall ladder for testing, and some groups tested in the wind tunnel. In order to improve their technologies, students worked with another group before we started to get some advice on their designs. When all the testing was done, students were able to reflect in writing on how things went. This coming week will be the last week for groups to test their technologies, and perhaps India and Jacob, our student engineer friends, will send along another challenge. We know that India has warned us that the Empty Quarter can be a harsh environment prone to sandstorms---who knows how this will affect the students' challenge and designs. Some third graders got wind of this challenge last Friday, but the others will find out this week!
Happy Pi Day all!
-Mrs. Athearn
Here's a quick update on grade 3 aeronautical engineering!
First, most third graders were able to finish creating their final aeronautical technology----a flying technology that could carry a certain amount of photographers and stay in the air a certain amount of seconds in order to take aerial photos of an area in the Empty Quarter.
Groups each picked an area in the Empty Quarter and their air-time and photographer criteria was based on which area they chose. Each area also had a constraint on how many materials could be used.
The kids did a great job staying within their material constraints to build this technology---something they have not had to consider so greatly before. I was able to drop or launch technologies from a tall ladder for testing, and some groups tested in the wind tunnel. In order to improve their technologies, students worked with another group before we started to get some advice on their designs. When all the testing was done, students were able to reflect in writing on how things went. This coming week will be the last week for groups to test their technologies, and perhaps India and Jacob, our student engineer friends, will send along another challenge. We know that India has warned us that the Empty Quarter can be a harsh environment prone to sandstorms---who knows how this will affect the students' challenge and designs. Some third graders got wind of this challenge last Friday, but the others will find out this week!
Happy Pi Day all!
-Mrs. Athearn
Update on week of March 7th, 2016: Grade 5 Final Projects!
Hi friends!
I want to give a big shout out to the 5th graders at Wentworth School! You all did an amazing job this year in the STEM classroom. Final Rocket and Rover Mission projects were fantastic! Last week, the 5th graders presented their final projects---including their final rocket, rover, and mission logo. They explained their destinations and their rover missions on distant planets and moons, performed their final rocket launches and decorated and presented their mission logos. Not all groups had a successful rocket launch, and some did not make it to their destination, but everyone had ideas trade-offs on their rover tools and explanations for improvements of rocket designs which was at the heart of this assignment to use the Engineering Design Process to design a rocket and rover with specific criteria and constraints. We learned that above all, when engineers fail, they take what they learned to make their technologies better next chance they get. These 5th graders are going to do fabulously in their engineering class at the middle school!
Students will also be receiving a copy of their team's mission logo sometime before April vacation. The logos came out so great, I want everyone to have one to take home, but they do take time to print in our 3D printer, so stay tuned!
-Mrs. A
I want to give a big shout out to the 5th graders at Wentworth School! You all did an amazing job this year in the STEM classroom. Final Rocket and Rover Mission projects were fantastic! Last week, the 5th graders presented their final projects---including their final rocket, rover, and mission logo. They explained their destinations and their rover missions on distant planets and moons, performed their final rocket launches and decorated and presented their mission logos. Not all groups had a successful rocket launch, and some did not make it to their destination, but everyone had ideas trade-offs on their rover tools and explanations for improvements of rocket designs which was at the heart of this assignment to use the Engineering Design Process to design a rocket and rover with specific criteria and constraints. We learned that above all, when engineers fail, they take what they learned to make their technologies better next chance they get. These 5th graders are going to do fabulously in their engineering class at the middle school!
Students will also be receiving a copy of their team's mission logo sometime before April vacation. The logos came out so great, I want everyone to have one to take home, but they do take time to print in our 3D printer, so stay tuned!
-Mrs. A
Friday, March 4, 2016
Grade 5 Update for the week of Feb. 29, 2016
WOW Friends!!
What an exciting and busy week we had in the STEM classroom at Wentworth School!
First, Wentworth PTA's 2nd Annual STEAM Fair was a huge success! I was there showing off my new LittleBits Inventor Kit. The kids had so much fun putting bits together to create bubble machines, tickle machines, flashlights, and much more! I also had a three wheeler car on display to show the kids what we will be working on in STEM class in an upcoming unit.
Grade 5 Update
The fifth graders are winding down their trimester, but we all sure worked extra hard this week to complete the Final Rocket and Rover Mission project. The kids did a great job working as teams to create their final projects. I was also very busy printing their 3D Mission logos in our CubePro 3D printer. We had a few minor hiccups with the printing, but I am happy to report that as of Friday afternoon, I have finished printing all 11 fifth grade classes' mission logos! They came out great! Here is a photo of some of the logos.
What an exciting and busy week we had in the STEM classroom at Wentworth School!
First, Wentworth PTA's 2nd Annual STEAM Fair was a huge success! I was there showing off my new LittleBits Inventor Kit. The kids had so much fun putting bits together to create bubble machines, tickle machines, flashlights, and much more! I also had a three wheeler car on display to show the kids what we will be working on in STEM class in an upcoming unit.
Grade 5 Update
The fifth graders are winding down their trimester, but we all sure worked extra hard this week to complete the Final Rocket and Rover Mission project. The kids did a great job working as teams to create their final projects. I was also very busy printing their 3D Mission logos in our CubePro 3D printer. We had a few minor hiccups with the printing, but I am happy to report that as of Friday afternoon, I have finished printing all 11 fifth grade classes' mission logos! They came out great! Here is a photo of some of the logos.
Grade 3 Update
Third graders worked on the Create step of the Engineering Design Process to create a model flying technology that can fly above an area in The Empty Quarter with a certain set of criteria and constraints for taking aerial photos. The criteria had to do with the amount of photographers the technology must carry and how long it must stay in the air. Their constraints were the number of materials they could use. The kids had to make some adjustments to their plans from last week to make sure they could use the materials they wanted without going over their limit. This was very different than what the kids were used to, because it really forced them to think critically about their plan and ensure that materials would not be going to waste. Next week, the kids will test their technologies from a high elevation (Mrs. A will drop from a ladder) to see if they have met their area's criteria. The kids will also have time to use the Improve step of the Engineering Design Process if their technology is not successful on the first test.
Have a great weekend!
-Mrs. Athearn
Spot the International Space Station this weekend!
The International Space Station will be visible in Maine this weekend in the night sky if mother nature cooperates and provides a cloud-free viewing condition!
It will only be visible for a brief amount of time---3 minutes or less, but if you are a science lover like me, and like a challenge, check out the site below for more details!
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_States®ion=Maine&city=Portland#.Vtn1JH0rLIU
-Mrs. Athearn
It will only be visible for a brief amount of time---3 minutes or less, but if you are a science lover like me, and like a challenge, check out the site below for more details!
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/view.cfm?country=United_States®ion=Maine&city=Portland#.Vtn1JH0rLIU
-Mrs. Athearn
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Leap Year, Leap Day Explained
Hello!
Tomorrow is February 29th, 2016---a leap day! A few kids have asked me what the Leap Day and Leap Year is all about, so here's a video to explain everything featuring my favorite astrophysicist and all around lover of science and the Cosmos---Neil deGrasse Tyson!
Happy Leap Day tomorrow!!
-Mrs. A
Tomorrow is February 29th, 2016---a leap day! A few kids have asked me what the Leap Day and Leap Year is all about, so here's a video to explain everything featuring my favorite astrophysicist and all around lover of science and the Cosmos---Neil deGrasse Tyson!
Happy Leap Day tomorrow!!
-Mrs. A
Friday, February 26, 2016
Update for February 26, 2016
Hi friends!
I haven't updated in a few weeks. Between snow-days, vacations, and lots of engineering projects, it has been a very busy February in the STEM classroom!
First, I want to remind everyone about the Wentworth PTA's upcoming Family STEAM Fair on Thursday, March 3rd at Wentworth School from 5:30-7:30 pm. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics! I heard that last year's event was a huge success, and I am so excited to be a part of the fun this year. Many teachers and staff members have prepared highly engaging STEAM activities for kids and families to share in the joy of learning together. I will be there showing off my new LittleBits kit, an exciting tool for inventing and makerspace activities. I will have a few different inventions for families to choose to create, but unfortunately the LittleBits cannot be taken home, as we will use these great tools again and again in STEM class for the rest of the year and beyond.
Grade 3 Update
Right before vacation, the third graders completed another challenge to create a flying technology. The kids used their knowledge of aeronautical engineering to create a flying disc that could spin in the air and create some lift before it falls to the ground. This helped us to understand design features that could overcome the force of gravity. The flying discs are serving as inspiration for a new flying technology that can take aerial photos that we began to plan out this week. The students are currently working in small groups to now take everything they've learned about flying technologies, and design their own prototype that could be created to take aerial photos of a part of the world called the Empty Quarter. The Empty Quarter is the largest sand desert on earth, and we learned that scientists at NASA are interested in studying the Empty Quarter, because it resembles the harsh conditions that they might encounter on other planets like Mars. I'll keep everyone updated on the final flying technologies the kids imagine, plan, create, and improve over the next few weeks!
Grade 5 Update
The trimester is winding down for grade 5, and sadly we only have 2 classes left before I have to say goodbye to these amazing students. I have been so impressed with these 5th graders and their ability to embrace the engineering design process and new technologies like Tinkercad in such a short period of time!
Right before vacation, we learned a new 3D modeling program called Tinkercad. Tinkercad is the program we are using to create a logo to go along with the 5th graders final aerospace engineering project. Each group is creating a final model rocket that will be launched to a specific destination in the solar system and with a specific mission to perform. For example, the mission to Pluto is to take a picture of the surface of the dwarf planet. Each group is also creating a model rover that will perform the mission on their destination. Finally, each group is also creating a logo to represent their mission team in Tinkercad. I will be 3D printing these logos during the last week of the trimester. The kids have divided their work collaboratively, and each group has a rocket, rover, and logo manager. I can't wait to see all these final projects in action during our last week together.
That's all for now! Hope to see you at STEAM night!
-Mrs. A
I haven't updated in a few weeks. Between snow-days, vacations, and lots of engineering projects, it has been a very busy February in the STEM classroom!
First, I want to remind everyone about the Wentworth PTA's upcoming Family STEAM Fair on Thursday, March 3rd at Wentworth School from 5:30-7:30 pm. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics! I heard that last year's event was a huge success, and I am so excited to be a part of the fun this year. Many teachers and staff members have prepared highly engaging STEAM activities for kids and families to share in the joy of learning together. I will be there showing off my new LittleBits kit, an exciting tool for inventing and makerspace activities. I will have a few different inventions for families to choose to create, but unfortunately the LittleBits cannot be taken home, as we will use these great tools again and again in STEM class for the rest of the year and beyond.
Grade 3 Update
Right before vacation, the third graders completed another challenge to create a flying technology. The kids used their knowledge of aeronautical engineering to create a flying disc that could spin in the air and create some lift before it falls to the ground. This helped us to understand design features that could overcome the force of gravity. The flying discs are serving as inspiration for a new flying technology that can take aerial photos that we began to plan out this week. The students are currently working in small groups to now take everything they've learned about flying technologies, and design their own prototype that could be created to take aerial photos of a part of the world called the Empty Quarter. The Empty Quarter is the largest sand desert on earth, and we learned that scientists at NASA are interested in studying the Empty Quarter, because it resembles the harsh conditions that they might encounter on other planets like Mars. I'll keep everyone updated on the final flying technologies the kids imagine, plan, create, and improve over the next few weeks!
Grade 5 Update
The trimester is winding down for grade 5, and sadly we only have 2 classes left before I have to say goodbye to these amazing students. I have been so impressed with these 5th graders and their ability to embrace the engineering design process and new technologies like Tinkercad in such a short period of time!
Right before vacation, we learned a new 3D modeling program called Tinkercad. Tinkercad is the program we are using to create a logo to go along with the 5th graders final aerospace engineering project. Each group is creating a final model rocket that will be launched to a specific destination in the solar system and with a specific mission to perform. For example, the mission to Pluto is to take a picture of the surface of the dwarf planet. Each group is also creating a model rover that will perform the mission on their destination. Finally, each group is also creating a logo to represent their mission team in Tinkercad. I will be 3D printing these logos during the last week of the trimester. The kids have divided their work collaboratively, and each group has a rocket, rover, and logo manager. I can't wait to see all these final projects in action during our last week together.
That's all for now! Hope to see you at STEAM night!
-Mrs. A
Friday, January 29, 2016
Quick update for the week of January 25, 2016
Hi friends!
We have had yet another productive week in the STEM classroom at Wentworth School! My apologies for being out this week on Thursday. I'm sorry to have missed my third grade classes on that day. I missed your final drop copter testing and improvements, but I was here at Wentworth doing some very important work. I worked all day with science and technology teachers across the district to align our essential learning standards, specifically with regard to engineering, to ensure that students are receiving the very best STEM education possible here in Scarborough!
Here's an update for each grade level or this week:
Grade 3
Third graders finished putting the final improvements on their drop copters, finalized their plans, and tested their copters to see which designs would fall the slowest. Our objective was to use the engineering design process to imagine, plan, create, and improve a drop copter that could fall as slowly as possible to take as many aerial photos as possible if a camera were attached to it. The kids discovered that copters with less weight and more surface area on the blades fell the slowest. Nice work grade 3 engineers! Next week we will use the engineering design process to create a new flying technology--a flying disc!
Grade 5
Fifth graders this week had two objectives. The first was to find out how the variables of rocket length, width, and material affected how far the rocket could travel when launched on a stomp launcher. The kids decided to all launch their rockets at a 45 degree angle so that launcher angle was held constant and would not become another variable we needed to consider. The kids did an excellent job launching their rockets---only one rocket landed on the suspended light fixture!! We won't be able to share our results until next week as rocket launching took up most of our class. The students all recorded their distance data and noted which variable they were testing. Next class, we will pool the data from each class and condense it onto one data table that we can analyze to find out which variables yielded the best results for rocket distance. This will become part of the final rocket project criteria depending on which destination in the solar system the students decide to send their rockets. Next week students will begin to plan their rovers and final rocket missions.
The second objective this week was to set-up an account on Project Ignite---a student and teacher portal for using Tinkercad! Tinkercad is a web-based 3D modeling program that the students will use to create a 3D design for a logo to accompany their final rocket and rover mission. If everything works out correctly, we will be able to print these logos in our CubePro 3D printer.
Have a great weekend everyone!
-Mrs. A :)
We have had yet another productive week in the STEM classroom at Wentworth School! My apologies for being out this week on Thursday. I'm sorry to have missed my third grade classes on that day. I missed your final drop copter testing and improvements, but I was here at Wentworth doing some very important work. I worked all day with science and technology teachers across the district to align our essential learning standards, specifically with regard to engineering, to ensure that students are receiving the very best STEM education possible here in Scarborough!
Here's an update for each grade level or this week:
Grade 3
Third graders finished putting the final improvements on their drop copters, finalized their plans, and tested their copters to see which designs would fall the slowest. Our objective was to use the engineering design process to imagine, plan, create, and improve a drop copter that could fall as slowly as possible to take as many aerial photos as possible if a camera were attached to it. The kids discovered that copters with less weight and more surface area on the blades fell the slowest. Nice work grade 3 engineers! Next week we will use the engineering design process to create a new flying technology--a flying disc!
Grade 5
Fifth graders this week had two objectives. The first was to find out how the variables of rocket length, width, and material affected how far the rocket could travel when launched on a stomp launcher. The kids decided to all launch their rockets at a 45 degree angle so that launcher angle was held constant and would not become another variable we needed to consider. The kids did an excellent job launching their rockets---only one rocket landed on the suspended light fixture!! We won't be able to share our results until next week as rocket launching took up most of our class. The students all recorded their distance data and noted which variable they were testing. Next class, we will pool the data from each class and condense it onto one data table that we can analyze to find out which variables yielded the best results for rocket distance. This will become part of the final rocket project criteria depending on which destination in the solar system the students decide to send their rockets. Next week students will begin to plan their rovers and final rocket missions.
The second objective this week was to set-up an account on Project Ignite---a student and teacher portal for using Tinkercad! Tinkercad is a web-based 3D modeling program that the students will use to create a 3D design for a logo to accompany their final rocket and rover mission. If everything works out correctly, we will be able to print these logos in our CubePro 3D printer.
Have a great weekend everyone!
-Mrs. A :)
Friday, January 22, 2016
Update for the week of January 18th, 2016
Hi Friends!
I hope everyone had a fun and productive week! The students of Wentworth and I sure did! See below for a grade specific update.
I also want to acknowledge Martin Luther King Jr. Day this past Monday by sharing a powerful quote that I keep in my journal of reflections of my teaching practice.
Grade 5 Update
This week the 5th graders continued their aerospace engineering unit by creating rockets that will be tested next week on the stomp launcher with new variables in mind. Our new objective is to find out how the variables of rocket length, width, and material will affect how far the rocket can travel. The students were split into groups of three, and each group was assigned a different variable to test. The students created rockets of small, medium, and large width and length, as well as, different materials like copy paper, transparency paper, and foam. Next week the students will launch their rockets and record their distance data. Then, as a class, we will pool our data, and see which lengths, widths, and materials flew the furthest. The goal is that this information will inform how the students will construct their final rockets that will carry a rover to a specific destination in the solar system. Nice job 5th graders!
Grade 3 Update
The third graders this week began to plan and create a new flying technology--a drop copter! First, we listened to a message from our student engineer friend Jacob. Jacob is working with a friend, April, who is an aeronautical engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a flying technology that Jacob can use to take aerial photos. Jacob sent us some drop copter templates to try out and modify. The students have a goal to design a drop copter that falls slowly enough to take as many aerial photos as possible! The students will use what they learned about how materials behave in an updraft last week to create their designs. We learned that lighter and wider materials fly better in an updraft last week. The students will continue this challenge next week. I can't wait to see what the kids come up with!
-Mrs. A
I hope everyone had a fun and productive week! The students of Wentworth and I sure did! See below for a grade specific update.
I also want to acknowledge Martin Luther King Jr. Day this past Monday by sharing a powerful quote that I keep in my journal of reflections of my teaching practice.
Grade 5 Update
This week the 5th graders continued their aerospace engineering unit by creating rockets that will be tested next week on the stomp launcher with new variables in mind. Our new objective is to find out how the variables of rocket length, width, and material will affect how far the rocket can travel. The students were split into groups of three, and each group was assigned a different variable to test. The students created rockets of small, medium, and large width and length, as well as, different materials like copy paper, transparency paper, and foam. Next week the students will launch their rockets and record their distance data. Then, as a class, we will pool our data, and see which lengths, widths, and materials flew the furthest. The goal is that this information will inform how the students will construct their final rockets that will carry a rover to a specific destination in the solar system. Nice job 5th graders!
Grade 3 Update
The third graders this week began to plan and create a new flying technology--a drop copter! First, we listened to a message from our student engineer friend Jacob. Jacob is working with a friend, April, who is an aeronautical engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a flying technology that Jacob can use to take aerial photos. Jacob sent us some drop copter templates to try out and modify. The students have a goal to design a drop copter that falls slowly enough to take as many aerial photos as possible! The students will use what they learned about how materials behave in an updraft last week to create their designs. We learned that lighter and wider materials fly better in an updraft last week. The students will continue this challenge next week. I can't wait to see what the kids come up with!
-Mrs. A
Friday, January 15, 2016
Update for the week of January 11, 2016
Hi friends!
Here is a quick update of what was happening this week in the STEM classroom! Wow, has it been a fun and exciting week! The kids and I have been so busy testing materials and launching rockets. See below for a grade specific update.
Grade 3
Third graders this week were introduced to a new testing tool that aeronautical engineers use to test their flying technologies---a vertical wind tunnel! We learned that vertical wind tunnels create an updraft (air moving up) and that objects in an updraft experience lift. The kids chose different building materials (tissue paper, cardboard, mylar, etc.) to see which materials have the greatest lift. We wanted to find out what the best building materials are to create a flying technology in the upcoming weeks. Nice job third graders!
Grade 5
Fifth graders this week were able to test the rockets that they created last week. Our objective was to find out how the variable of weight affects how far a rocket can travel. The students tested their rockets made from paper on a stomp launcher at 0, 10, and 20 weights. We used metal washers for weights. The students recorded their distance data and discovered that when the weight of the rocket increases, the distance it can travel decreases. Some students were surprised by this, and others expected this result. Next week, we will split into groups to test how other variables affect how far a rocket can travel like rocket length, width, and material. Our goal is to gather data about these different variables that will inform their creation of a final rocket that the students must plan a mission for with a certain destination in the solar system in mind, and that can also carry a rover with a specific job for exploring their destination. Way to go fifth graders! This launching procedure required much cooperation and the kids excelled!
Happy engineering!
-Mrs. A
Here is a quick update of what was happening this week in the STEM classroom! Wow, has it been a fun and exciting week! The kids and I have been so busy testing materials and launching rockets. See below for a grade specific update.
Grade 3
Third graders this week were introduced to a new testing tool that aeronautical engineers use to test their flying technologies---a vertical wind tunnel! We learned that vertical wind tunnels create an updraft (air moving up) and that objects in an updraft experience lift. The kids chose different building materials (tissue paper, cardboard, mylar, etc.) to see which materials have the greatest lift. We wanted to find out what the best building materials are to create a flying technology in the upcoming weeks. Nice job third graders!
Grade 5
Fifth graders this week were able to test the rockets that they created last week. Our objective was to find out how the variable of weight affects how far a rocket can travel. The students tested their rockets made from paper on a stomp launcher at 0, 10, and 20 weights. We used metal washers for weights. The students recorded their distance data and discovered that when the weight of the rocket increases, the distance it can travel decreases. Some students were surprised by this, and others expected this result. Next week, we will split into groups to test how other variables affect how far a rocket can travel like rocket length, width, and material. Our goal is to gather data about these different variables that will inform their creation of a final rocket that the students must plan a mission for with a certain destination in the solar system in mind, and that can also carry a rover with a specific job for exploring their destination. Way to go fifth graders! This launching procedure required much cooperation and the kids excelled!
Happy engineering!
-Mrs. A
Friday, January 8, 2016
First update for 2016!
Hi students, teachers, friends, and families,
Happy 2016! I hope everyone had a great winter vacation, found some time to enjoy friends and family, and re-charge their batteries!
Before vacation, the students at Wentworth participated in Hour of Code activities from CODE.org's Code Studio lessons. STEM class was no exception, and the students and I enjoyed creating programs that could run games, play music, and create art with drag and drop coding. The kids learned about algorithms, programs, bugs and de-bugging, sequences and loops. A great time was had by all, and we will continue with Code Studio later on in the trimester. Here's a link to Mrs. Clive's Tech Integration website where you can find a link to Wentworth's Hour of Code activities. Thanks Mrs. Clive for making this coding experience so easy and fun!
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wstechintegration/
This first of 2016, the STEM classrooms have been busy with new engineering units!
Grade 5 Update:
The 5th graders started their Aerospace engineering unit by learning about rockets, rovers, and the International Space Station. Then, the 5th graders created their paper rockets that we will launch next week using a stomp launcher. Our objective is to investigate how the variable of weight with affect the distance a rocket can travel. This will help out later on when the students plan a rocket mission to a destination in our solar system that can carry a rover that they have designed to a certain criteria. They must also design their rocket to carry this rover, so it is important to know how the weight of the rover will affect the rocket.
The kids were also excited that you can sometimes spot the International Space Station in the night sky as it is orbiting the earth. Here's a link to try this out with your family!
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
Grade 3 Update:
The 3rd graders are getting ready for their upcoming Aeronautical engineering unit, by learning more about technology and how engineers define technologies. The students were technology detectives this week. First we learned that technologies are objects or processes that are engineered by humans to fulfill a need and/or help solve a problem. The kids were very surprised that not all technologies have to be electronic! Then, they had to pick an object that Mrs. Athearn provided and identify if it was in fact a technology or not. Lastly, the students imagined ways to improve their technologies. I was very impressed with the improvements the students came up with. One student thought that a dry erase board eraser could be improved by adding a robotic feature so that it could automatically clean your white board kind of like a Roomba cleans floors. I would love this invention especially for the hard-to-reach places on my white board!
That's all for now!
-Mrs. A
Happy 2016! I hope everyone had a great winter vacation, found some time to enjoy friends and family, and re-charge their batteries!
Before vacation, the students at Wentworth participated in Hour of Code activities from CODE.org's Code Studio lessons. STEM class was no exception, and the students and I enjoyed creating programs that could run games, play music, and create art with drag and drop coding. The kids learned about algorithms, programs, bugs and de-bugging, sequences and loops. A great time was had by all, and we will continue with Code Studio later on in the trimester. Here's a link to Mrs. Clive's Tech Integration website where you can find a link to Wentworth's Hour of Code activities. Thanks Mrs. Clive for making this coding experience so easy and fun!
https://sites.google.com/a/scarboroughschools.org/wstechintegration/
This first of 2016, the STEM classrooms have been busy with new engineering units!
Grade 5 Update:
The 5th graders started their Aerospace engineering unit by learning about rockets, rovers, and the International Space Station. Then, the 5th graders created their paper rockets that we will launch next week using a stomp launcher. Our objective is to investigate how the variable of weight with affect the distance a rocket can travel. This will help out later on when the students plan a rocket mission to a destination in our solar system that can carry a rover that they have designed to a certain criteria. They must also design their rocket to carry this rover, so it is important to know how the weight of the rover will affect the rocket.
The kids were also excited that you can sometimes spot the International Space Station in the night sky as it is orbiting the earth. Here's a link to try this out with your family!
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
Grade 3 Update:
The 3rd graders are getting ready for their upcoming Aeronautical engineering unit, by learning more about technology and how engineers define technologies. The students were technology detectives this week. First we learned that technologies are objects or processes that are engineered by humans to fulfill a need and/or help solve a problem. The kids were very surprised that not all technologies have to be electronic! Then, they had to pick an object that Mrs. Athearn provided and identify if it was in fact a technology or not. Lastly, the students imagined ways to improve their technologies. I was very impressed with the improvements the students came up with. One student thought that a dry erase board eraser could be improved by adding a robotic feature so that it could automatically clean your white board kind of like a Roomba cleans floors. I would love this invention especially for the hard-to-reach places on my white board!
That's all for now!
-Mrs. A
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