S.T.E.A.M. + Halloween Candy + Time = Skills Reinforcement

How do we successfully iron together subjects in 5th grade?  We STEAM them!  OK, that was not a great joke, but it was the only way I could think of to make a point about how we integrate authentic learning opportunities into our packed academic schedule.

Friday, October 30th, students were asked to think like toy designers and create a catapult toy.  This particular activity was chosen as we are currently studying geometric shapes in math, effective research strategies in English, and cyclical methodologies and matter in science.  We knew students would have to use skills and concepts from current studies to apply during their design challenge process.

Here is a peek into the results of a morning of STEAM design creation.  See if you can identify the math, science, engineering, art, and technology in these designs.  Then see if you can spot how research, writing, and math skills were utilized.

Brainstorming cycles prior to starting design challenge.

Pairs had to chose best design, sketch the design, and create a materials list.

Partnership tested, then had to re-design catapult.

Partnership using a protractor to determine degree of angles for hypothesis prior to final tests.

Gardening Fosters Great Minds

Gabbianos in the Garden

"This is fun!"  "What if we put some plants in plastic 'planters' and plant others in dirt, what will happen?"  "Let's measure how far apart these plants need to be planted."  Digging around in rich soil does lead to rich conversations!  This last Saturday students and their parents met me at Casolare 4 to dig the first phase of the 5th grade garden.  Students planted cole crops, including broccoli, many types of lettuces, and cabbage.  

Thanks parents for your help, materials, and encouragement.  Thanks Mrs. Russell, TFC Education Coordinator, for helping us 'grow' this idea of building sustainable resources on our school grounds.  We are even thinking of starting a composting system, too. 

You are invited to facilitate the planning and implementing of our next STEAM Team projects by discussing the following and posting comments here:

1.  In what ways can our garden grow?  Could we, should we consider growing crops that can be eaten in the cafeteria?  Why or why not?

2.  In what ways can we positively impact how our school conserves resources?  How about in our community?

3.  What ideas, inventions, or innovations might we consider for our new school that would positively impact our environment?

November 12th fifth grade meets with Mrs. Russell from TFC to discuss recycling and debrief project ideas.  Stay tuned here for more information.  I look forward to your comments and suggestions to the above questions!

Cycles: Why Are They So Important?

Thursday, October 1, 2015, the Gabbianos were charged with exploring the concept of "cycles". Why do scientists use a cyclical approach when conducting experiments?  Why do engineers use a cyclical approach?  First we brainstormed where in our daily lives we find cycles.  We then categorized the different types of cycles.  We attempted to identify non-cycles, too.  Lastly, we reflected on what all the cycles have in common and wrote some generalizations:
1.  Cycles are all around us,
2.  Cycles are inter-related,
3.  Cycles cause change, change can be positive or negative, fast or slow, man-made or happen naturally, and
4.  Cycles repeat over time.

This lively discussion led us to the creation of pendulums and conducting of scientific experimentation with different variables,  Students identified ways to change to the period per second of a given pendulum swing.  Students were encourage to use a cyclical approach during the execution of their experiment.

As students collected data, Miss W. (our ODU practicum student) and I encouraged them to consider this cyclical approach.  Was it helpful to follow a cycle of observe, take data, change variable, observe, take data, and repeat?  What happened if the cycle was disrupted?  What were the results?

The study of how and why practitioners use a cyclical approach is essential to building student understanding of and respect for the scientific method.  Teachers are guilty of telling students it is important to follow a cyclical protocol, but when do the students learn for themselves how important these protocols are?  Well, I am hoping their understanding has deepened as a result of our first official STEAM day!

We will continue to explore and use cyclical protocols during the field trip to the Virginia Air and Space Center this week.  You can further this effort by discussing cycles at home!