March STEM

March STEM day happened on Friday, March 3rd. This month's book was Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen. The main character, Violet, likes to build things. When the community is having a flight contest, she decides to build a plane and enter the contest. As she is competing, she hears some kids screaming for help in the river. She flies down and rescues them. At the end she receives a medal.


Challenge: Create a device to safe a dinosaur manipulative from the tub of water. You can use any materials found on the kidney table (various size cups, string, pipe cleaners, scissors, tape, legos, lincoln logs, rubberbands).

Students worked with the engineering process and recording their steps in their stemfolio. They drew a picture from the story and wrote about the book. We researched and discussed different life saving devices. Next, students drew a design in their group of 5-6 students. They build their design, tested it, and had a chance to make adjustments and test it out again. Below are their designs.

There were a variety of designs and all ended up saving the dinosaur. Many students opted for yarn at first but chose to use the pipe cleaners on the second attempt because they are sturdier. I was very proud of how well the students collaborated!

 

River Eves had some visitors from Gwinnet County to see how we are implementing STEM. I feel our students this year have grown in their abilities to work together, problem solve, and realize not being successful at first happens and is okay.

 

We have 2 more STEM days left this year. The dates are April 3rd and May 1st. Volunteers are always welcome.

 

~Mrs. Daugherty