STUDENT WORK SHOWCASE
In both my general education science class as well as my STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) enrichment class, we do many hands on activities and collaborative projects. I have chosen a few highlights in student work and collaboration from my classroom to share. All projects emphasize teamwork, creativity, technology, and critical thinking.
Geologic TimelineIn this collaborative project, students leaned about Earth's history and the geologic time scale. Each class period was assigned a section of the geologic time scale and each student was in charge of separate tasks within each section. Groups had to measure their section of the timeline display wall to scale, choose major events to include on the timeline, research and write an explanation of those events, and create a visual display for each event.
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Cardboard BoatsThis STEAM engineering design project that challenged students to design and build a functioning boat out of cardboard and duct tape. Students had to follow strict constraints and criteria while designing and building. Final designs were tested in the school pool, where they either survived the journey across the pool, or... not. The images show past boats, including the current record holder for the fastest cardboard boat (upper left).
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ModelingOne important aspect of Next Generation Science standards, and the Michigan Science Standards is developing and using scientific models. Students use models in class to show their understanding and to communicate ideas. Classes also work together to design and build consensus models (lower right) after discussion and continue to remodel as we continue to learn about concepts in class. Here are some examples of great modeling by students to explain phenomena, describe relationships between variables, and communicate scientific information.
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Rube Goldberg MachinesAfter studying energy types the transfer and transformation of energy, students designed and built Rube Goldberg machines to show their learning. Students worked together in groups to construct a segment of a class wide Rube Goldberg machine. Each group was responsible for identifying different energy transfer and energy transformations within their section of the machine as well as connecting their section with the other sections in the class. The images show designs, construction and final runs of the project.
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Earthquake TowerAs a culminating project on plate tectonics, students were challenged to design and build towers that were able to withstand an earthquake. Students worked in small groups and researched ways that engineers and architects designed buildings in earthquake prone areas and based their designs on their research. As with other design challenge projects, students had to work with strict constraints and criteria. The only materials they could use were uncooked spaghetti noodles, masking tape, and mini marshmallows. Towers had to reach a minimum height requirement and support an egg near the top as well as sustain simulated earthquake tremors. Each group was also given a budget and price list for materials. Groups lost design points for going over budget. The images show designs, final products, and the testing process.
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Wind Turbine DesignDuring our energy and resources unit, students research different renewable energy resources and specifically wind turbines. They discover how they work and the pros and cons of using this method as an energy source. After their research, students were challenged to design and build wind turbine blades spin the fastest and produce the most amount of energy. Students were encouraged to get creative and, of course, keep all of their research in mind. Here are a few examples of great designs in action as well as images of groups working on their research in class.
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Photo Attribution: All photos either were made available via Weebly or belong to Stephanie Houts and comply with school policies.