Fifth Grade Drop Everything and STEAM Week

Fifth graders in Middle School at Shorecrest Preparatory School spent a week integrating science, technology, engineering, art and math during Drop Everything and STEAM Week. The week allowed students time and space to solve science- and art-based challenges that mimic the structure and work of STEAM professionals in the real world. Current research supports this type of discovery learning, as it creates opportunities for students to explore and delve deeper through the process of metacognition. Metacognition fosters growth in problem-solving skills important for today's learner.

 

The theme for the integrative week was Designing Kinetic Sculptures. Students were separated into four classrooms, and from there broken into smaller teams. An early introduction covered what makes a sculpture, expectations for the week - and then almost immediately students were thrust out of their comfort zones and into the world of design-thinking and collaboration. Discussions turned to scientific properties such as force, physics and the center of mass.

 

Teams used spinning, dangling mobiles to explore center of mass, energy, balance and force. They heard about Alexander “Sandy” Calder, an American artist born in 1898. He designed toys, tapestries and sculptures as well as other forms of art. He has been referred to as the Father of Mobiles. When they created their own symmetrical and asymmetrical mobiles, students were reminded to wear both a "scientific hat" and an "artistic hat." Using interdisciplinary approaches forced students to access their perceived strengths and weaknesses, and those of their teammates.

 

Day two added engineering to the design process. Engineering designs often solve a problem or meet a need, so it was prime time for students to use design thinking and creativity. They learned about Anne Lilly, a kinetic sculptor who uses a lot of movement in her work. Students played with ways they could use gears to create movement in sculptures. This led to exploring cams and automata. Students worked in teams to build their own automaton.

Day three covered the topics of potential energy, kinetic energy, gravity and friction using marbles. The grade sat for a very informative and exciting presentation about roller coasters at Universal Studios. Charger alumnus Chas Bronstein ‘13, whose lifelong passion for roller coasters has lead to a job at Islands of Adventure, took the young scientists on a journey to explore the HOW of rollercoasters. He introduced concepts such potential and kinetic energies and gravity zones, to explain how roller coasters can stay on track at such high speeds without plummeting to the ground. He also explained the safety of roller coasters to the kids and how much planning and designing goes into making a new ride. He brought in models of a steel wheel and track so the fifth graders could grasp how much weight each train possesses. Knowing the weight of the trains and the speed they travel is extremely important when planning loops that travel through the gravity zone, after all!

The artist they learned about for these subjects was George Rhoads, who uses marbles in kinetic sculptures. Teams then made marble runs that had to have one loop and one hill, so the marble could generate the kinetic energy necessary to move a paper cup at the end the furthest distance. With a final distance of 52 centimeters, Emerson H. and Rihanna P.​​  earned the gold medal!

 

On day four, students were introduced to the French artist (and former software programmer) Laurent Debraux who uses magnets in his kinetic sculptures. The accompanying challenge had students using their prior knowledge of magnetic forces to add movement to a design.

This amazing day ended with visits from our youngest Chargers in Alpha. They journeyed from room to room for some hands-on learning by trying out some of the fifth graders' magnetic sculptures––car races, mazes, hoverboard strolls and fly-eating frogs, to name a few.

 

In between each activity, students took a "gallery walk." They moved thoughtfully through each room to see what other teams had designed. Examining others' work gives students a chance to learn from each other - about efficiency, what's visually appealing and more.

On the final day of STEAM Week, parents and students from all grade levels were invited to a STEAM Showcase to view projects and all the students had learned.

 

Fifth grade English teacher, Tedra Tatelbaum, summed up the excitement of STEAM week saying, "It's a very challenging and exhausting week for everyone involved, but the joy and discovery the students experience is worth every second. Teachers and students are pushed out of their comfort zones for this special week, but I find the students are so much more engaged in my English learning community after STEAM Week. Their questions are more thoughtful and their ability to collaborate and be inclusive is much more authentic."

Spanish teacher Sra. Jarvis was on hand throughout the week. She said she had the same excitement as the students in, “seeing scientific principles brought to life in physical forms.”

 

STEAM Week presents the gift of time so that our Chargers can explore new concepts, implement new strategies, and improve upon their own ideas through trial-and-error. Because our students are encouraged to have a growth mindset, this special week has them living just that, "I can't get my marble to stay on this second loop... yet!"

STEAM Week also connects to every learning style; students must listen carefully and learn to communicate effectively, use their hands to manipulate their sculptures, and visualize their ideas before being creative in what they design. Students must also work independently as they reflect and ponder along the way.

Keep STEAMing this Summer!
This summer, the fifth grade teaching team will be adding a little more STEAM to Shorecrest Summer Programs! There will be two sessions of the same topic: Prosthetics. Campers will follow the same format of STEAM Week to understand, design and create prosthetics for animals and humans. This camp includes a visit to local aquariums that use prosthetics on animals, such as our very own Winter the dolphin. Be on the lookout in the Summer Camp Catalog coming out soon!

View many more photos and video clips of STEAM Week here.