Whole Class Enrichment: STEAM!
We have just finished our second unit of whole class enrichment: STEAM! STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math! Careers in the STEAM field are in high demand and the number of jobs is growing faster than any other field. In a world where change is becoming the only constant, STEAM learning is a great way for students to strengthen their critical thinking skills and integrate several subjects in a creative and challenging way. Each first through fifth grade classroom had a fantastic time during their whole-class STEAM lesson:
- In first grade, we read the book, Iggy Peck Architect. Students were then challenged to design and build two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures.
- In second grade, students were challenged to build a table out of an 8x11 piece of cardboard and eight sheets of newspaper. Their table had to be 8 inches high and hold a heavy textbook!
- In third grade, students were given fifteen pipe cleaners and had to build the tallest structure they could! I was impressed with the problem-solving process students went through to build more stable structures out of this rather flimsy material!
- In fourth grade, students took on the Coffee Shop challenge! Students created structures out of coffee stirrers and straws. Students’ tenacity was apparent as they persevered through broken stirrers and built some beautiful and unusual structures!
- In fifth grade, students learned about Newton’s Laws and were challenged to design a device to keep three plastic sheep safe in their wind up jeep as they crashed into a text book! Not only were these designs successful but creatively added a flare to their cars.
As always, students were encouraged to have a growth mindset as they encountered challenges during the design process. Most importantly, we had a lot of fun!
How can you continue to develop this skill at home?
Encourage your child to create, not consume! Give kids tools to create something out of nothing (check your recycling bin for possible things to use)! Encourage play with toys that are STEAM related: Legos, art design, robotics, and coding games. Point out the branches of STEAM in your daily life: why the lights go on when you flip the switch, the three states of water as you boil water for dinner, or following the directions to assemble something new in your home (and possibly the frustration and problem solving along the wayJ).
I look forward to starting our next whole class enrichment unit with your children!
Emily Weber – GTE Resource