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 :)
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
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
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