Our classroom is becoming a STEAM classroom. We are using 21st Century skills such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills on a daily basis. The goal is to make school FUN and engaging, so we will love learning.
I want to empower my students through art and engineering!
My students come from homes where the "extras" are not always available, and so we need to give them experiences at school to "level the playing field" for their future. The children in my class love learning and are very nurturing to each other.
Our classroom is just becoming familiar with the engineering process. However, we don't always have many experiences with engineering design/art. I'd like to change that! Recently, I allowed my students to create a Marble Run and they struggled to build the run in a way that the marble would flow. I realized then that they don't have "toys" like that at home. We live in a world of video games! If my students can practice with "toys" that allow them to build, predict, experiment with models and see how they function, they will enjoy "engineering" and want to learn more! I want them to see these jobs as a real possibility for their lives.
My Project
My students will be given small group time to construct models from the Zoob building sets. Students can build their own cars and see if the design they build will actually roll across the floor. They can design motorized robots that will zoom across the floor. They can build structures and make sure they are stable and balanced. The planning and then carrying out their plans is a big step in engineering design. The students will document their findings in their STEAM notebooks and reflect on their learning. They will use colored pencils and other art materials to draw their plans/finished products in their STEAM notebooks.
Our school budget includes basic supplies, but not money for the "extras" like I have listed above.
I want to empower my students to be excited about possible jobs for the future! I hope they will see themselves in jobs that involve higher level thinking and want to use science, technology engineering, art and math in their occupations. Many of them will quite possibly be first time college graduates in their families! Creative thinkers are the future!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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