To prepare their students for a future that’s being changed by technology and engineering, a pair of fifth-grade science teachers are conducting a different STEM activity (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) every month.
This past week, Cornwall Middle School teachers Samantha Choules and Lauren Feyen had their classes break into groups and build a Christmas tree using toothpicks and Dots candy.
The students were challenged to build the tallest tree possible using four toothpicks and five Dots. Once they got the basic idea, they were given additional supplies to build a larger Christmas tree.
Choules also worked with another teacher, on her team, in the English department, to create the tallest free-standing gingerbread house.
“When given a problem, they’re learning to work together, in a group, to figure out how to solve the problem,” said Choules.
The two science teachers began presenting these monthly challenges to their students last year in response to the school district’s mission to introduce more STEM activities in the classroom.
Choules and Feyen brainstorm ideas, as well as conduct online research for activities. When possible, they try to make them theme-related.
In September, students built towers made of index cards. For the month with Halloween, they used hangers and string to create spider webs. The webs had to be able to catch plastic spiders when they were dropped from above.
November’s Thanksgiving challenge saw the students build “mini-Mayflower ships.” Their ships had to be engineered to float and hold a specific amount of weight. Using limited supplies, the ships could be no larger than 10”X10”x10”. After testing and observing all the attempts, the students analyzed the different designs and discussed how and why some designs responded differently in the water when the weight was applied.
To develop English Language Arts, after each activity, students have to write a reflection piece where they discuss what went well during the challenge, what they would improve in the design, and what they would do differently. Then the class discusses their findings as a group.
The reaction from the students has been positive, said Choules. Although they may be quiet during the activity, it just means they’re deep in thought about how to accomplish their mission.
