My students need fiction and nonfiction books to build a STEAM library in our newly established STEAM program. These books will help them connect literature to innovation and will become the foundation of our STEAM expeditions.
I love that through STEAM, I'm able to help students have fun while learning to collaborate, self-explore, think critically, and problem solve. It's never too early to prepare our youth for the future workforce and to foster the imagination of natural-born scientists, engineers, and mathematicians alike. In a STEAM classroom it's all about making cross curricular connections and presenting kids with different ways to make connections and think critically through different experiences. The best part is that with STEAM, there's no right or wrong answer. It's about having fun, helping others, and fostering curiosity through multisensory activities.
My Project
For STEAM instruction, I will begin many lessons by reading a children's book. Let's say that I choose the fiction story, One Rainy Day, by M. Christina Butler. In this story, Little Hedgehog wakes up to a rainy day. He gets ready for the day in his rainy day best attire, but soon the rain turns into a treacherous storm where he has to help his friends who aren't so prepared.
As a student, your design challenge is to use a variety of materials to create an umbrella that will protect Hedgehog and his friends from the rain.
Your supplies will include popsicle sticks, paper towel rolls, tape, pipe cleaners, and cellophane. You will have access to a low heat hot glue gun and an adorable hedgehog stuffed animal. You will test your hedgehog's umbrella by spraying it with water from a spray water bottle. Good Luck! Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Structuring STEAM challenges like this motivates, inspires, fosters creativity, encourages teamwork, but best of all...provides a childhood connection that makes sense.
We would LOVE to begin the year with a variety of books to connect to our challenges. Your donations will make us one of the happiest STEAM classrooms yet! Thank you in advance!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Owen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
