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.
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| Brainstorming cycles prior to starting design challenge. |
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| Pairs had to chose best design, sketch the design, and create a materials list. |
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| Partnership tested, then had to re-design catapult. |
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| Partnership using a protractor to determine degree of angles for hypothesis prior to final tests. |
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