"This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for the fifth grade!..." I, the man, teach science and math in southwest Missouri to rural students. They are a very involved group of kids who love the outdoors and hands-on projects.
The entire 5th grade has learned about their solar system and our galaxy.
We will be covering basic concepts of physics next and what better way to tie both of these topics together than trying to send something toward that vast body of space! This cross-curricular unit will span the principles of flight involving kites, paper airplanes, and rocketry. We will be using measurement to determine altitude and distances traveled.
My Project
At the first of the project, the students will be using their artistic abilities to craft painted kites and paper planes. We have the paper supplies for the plane and kite portion, but lack the solid fuel and fuselages for the rocket portion of this activity. With the items that have been selected, the students will be able to create scale model rockets that will actually fire and be retrieved to be fired multiple times.
This cross curricular unit will expose my students to the areas of STEAM that will promote problem solving skills and creative thinking by adding an art component to this activity.
They will be encouraged to explore what is unknown, create multiple solutions to problems, and evaluate end-products free from the confines of regular assignments. This out of the ordinary learning will better prepare them for the future.
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