STEM.tas.tic

How Tall Is Your Tower? A STEM Challenge First Grade

Students worked to build the tallest tower using the most base ten blocks they could.  There was an award for the tallest tower and the tower worth the most.  We’ve been working on representing numbers to 1,000 in different ways including using base ten blocks.

                                                        Planning        Collaborating

  

                            New Construction      Finished Product

                                                                                Measuring

 

 

How can the forces of push and pull be used to move objects in our everyday lives?

 

Students had a great time with their unit built around Science Standard SS2P3: Students will demonstrate changes in speed and direction using pushes and pulls. Students had the opportunity to use new resources in Cobb Digital Library and each class had a video-conference with a park ranger at Denali National Park.  We used the Recordex Cameras purchased by CCSD with SPLOST funds.  Students were thrilled to see themselves up on the screen and be able to talk and interact with the ranger.  

Download Project Design Template second grade2015-2016
Download SledDogsNonfictionArticlePackFreebie

Good resources to purchase:
54-page activity booklet on the Iditarod purchased from Green Grub Garden Hub
24-page guide on Sled Dog Racing by Karen Laurence, available on Teachers Pay Teachers.

 

How can I construct a shadow stick that is the same height as me to determine how a shadow changes throughout the day?

We have been learning about the sun and the moon and how shadows are made. Have you ever wondered the time of day when you shadow is the shortest or the longest? You will construct a shadow stick that is the same height as you and you will study how the length of its shadow changes throughout a sunny day.

Students determine how the shadows change through the day by making a shadow stick or using a sundial.

Download S2E2b Me and My Shadow (1)

How do animals change over their lifetime?

“Meet the Chicks”- - Students will participate in a “hands-on” activity during which they will be introduced to chickens. A KSE parent will conduct a session with each class during which students will be able to observe, ask questions, and touch eggs, chicks, and grown hens.

Download Chicken life cycle lesson plan

How can we as students demonstrate the Earth, Moon, and Sun interaction to other students?

 Students observed and recorded the shape of the moon over the course of a month  to track the shape on a monthly calendar.  They then used their own data to create a line plot to show their results.

Specific content and success skills to be assessed: S2E2

To investigate the positions of the sun and moon to show patterns throughout the year. (shape of the moon)
Download BIE project_design_overview_planning_guide_MOON

Download S2E2d Moon in a Box (2)

Download FREESevenDayMoonTrackerforMoonPhasesUnit

A Dr. Seuss STEM Challenge

Use the materials provided to build your own nest for Horton’s egg. Be sure the nest is strong enough to support Horton’s weight. You must protect the egg from breaking!

Download Dr seuss STEM challenge sheet