Circuit Valentines

Pre-K, Kinder, 1st and 2nd graders learned how circuits work and we explored places where we see circuits everyday.  Then we decided to make one of our own!  We used copper tape, LED lights, and a battery.  "You light up my life" was our Valentine's Day theme.  Look for those to come home today if you haven't gotten yours yet.  Each student made it for someone special in his or her family.  Here are some photos of the process!

Mechanical Engineering and Kinder

Kindergarten has just completed their Mechanical Engineering unit.  In this unit, we studied wind energy and discovered the best way to "catch" wind.  They formed hypotheses, tested materials, tested shapes, and drew conclusions as to the best way to "catch" the wind so that it could be used for energy.  In the end, they built windmills out of milk cartons.  These windmills spin in the wind and wind up to lift a cup.  We then brainstormed ways that we could use this in the real world.  They are so creative!  Look for their Mechanical Engineering books to come home soon with all of their work and notes included.  Here are some pictures of the process.

WeDo Robotics and 2nd grade!

Second graders are facing challenges, learning, and growing in STEAM class!  This time they are using Lego WeDo robotics to achieve this.  They are building complicated robots from an instruction book.  This process is tedious, specific, and challenging.  Many times, their robots aren't built right the first time.  They have to go back and find out where they made the error, fix it, and rebuild.  As you can imagine this takes tenacity and patience.  To add to it all, they are working with a partner on all of this.  They are learning the fine art of compromise and collaboration.  After their robots are built, they turn into programmers trying to make their robots do certain challenges.  These challenges are fun and creative.  They have to put together a series of commands that are in logical order.  They are using the skills they learned during Hour of Code to help with this process.  I'm super proud of them!  Here are some pictures of the process.  As always, thank you for sharing your children with me.  

~Ms. Adams