My students need bridge building kits, toothpicks, glue, string and a toothpick-cutter for this end of the year learning experience for our STEM Competition to break our bridges.
I work with students in 2nd through 5th grade from three different elementary schools. We work on extension and enrichment projects for reading, writing, and mathematics. They are bright students, but sometimes don't realize their own potential.
I strive to place projects in front of them that will challenge them and teach them the most important lesson I believe teachers have to offer - how to persevere.
If I can teach them this, I believe they can accomplish any task placed in front of them.
My Project
This STEM project will make a difference in my students' learning and improve their school life because it will aid them in completing their challenging end of the year bridge building project. They will make a plan, follow through on it and problem solve along the way. It will force them to use outside of the box and creative thinking. The project entails drawing front, side and back views of the bridge they plan to build. The students will have to follow numerous building codes and they will even have to write checks for their supplies.
The fun starts when they will have to build the bridge they sketched with the added benefit of working on communication, collaboration and perseverance as this is a team project.
This will wrap-up our year long study about bridges and the strength of different materials and shapes. They have learned just as much from their "triumphs" and "tragedies" while building various structures throughout this unit. STEM projects like this may also spark an interest in math or science careers.
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