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STEAM- Ms. Keefe

STEAM
 

Term 2

2023-2024

 

Grade 1

This term in STEAM we were very busy.  We began with Hour of Code activities.  This initiative, of teaching computer coding skills, is now taught worldwide, in 180 countries.  We used our Ozobots, Bee Bots and also did some “unplugged” coding activities.  Light was a focus for a couple of weeks.  We learned that things can be classified as transparent, translucent, and opaque depending on how much light can pass through them.  Books by Ezra Jack Keats, Eric Carle, and more were the focus of many engineering activities.  We built chairs, houses, cars, and spider webs.  The highlight of the term was the Star Lab planetarium.  We learned about the winter stars and constellations. 

 

Grade 2

This term in STEAM we were very busy.  We began with Hour of Code activities.  This initiative, of teaching computer coding skills, is now taught worldwide, in 180 countries.  We coded using our Ozobots and Bee Bots.  The pigeon books by Mo Willems were the basis of several lessons.  We built towers, beds, boats, and a table for the pigeon.  Color chromatography, the separating of black ink into the 3 primary colors of red, blue, and yellow was interesting.  Then we mixed colors together, in many different combinations, to create new colors.  The highlight of the term was the Star Lab planetarium.  We learned about the winter stars and constellations. 


Grade 3

This term in STEAM we were very busy.  We began with Hour of Code activities.  This initiative, of teaching computer coding skills, is now taught worldwide, in 180 countries.  We coded using our Ozobots and Bee Bots.  Using our Snap Circuit sets was our introduction to electricity.  They will continue to be used in the next term as well.  Continent challenges tested our engineering minds and skills, creating things related to things specific to regions of the world: insulated shelters for a trip to Antarctica, zip lines to sail through the rainforests of South America, castles like those in Europe, and carts to travel the silk road of Asia.   The highlight of the term was the Star Lab planetarium.  We learned about the winter stars and constellations. 

 

Grade 4

This term in STEAM we were very busy.  We began with Hour of Code activities.  This initiative, of teaching computer coding skills, is now taught worldwide, in 180 countries.  We coded using our Ozobots.  Light energy was the focus of several lessons.  We identified things that were transparent, translucent, and opaque, then explored reflection, refraction and shadows.  The winter Olympic games were the focus of many lessons.  We learned about the science behind quite a few sports:  alpine skiing, curling, speed skating, bobsled, and hockey.  Fun! The highlight of the term was the Star Lab planetarium.  We learned about the winter stars and constellations. 

 

Grade 5

This term in STEAM we were very busy.  We began with Hour of Code activities.  This initiative, of teaching computer coding skills, is now taught worldwide, in 180 countries.  We coded using our Ozobots. We have begun a Shark Tank project, based on the TV show, but it’s been put on hold for a few weeks as we’re gearing up for the eclipse on April 8!   The highlight of the term was the Star Lab planetarium.  We learned about the winter stars and constellations. 


 

Kindergarten

This term in STEAM we were very busy.  We began with Hour of Code activities.  This initiative, of teaching computer coding skills, is now taught worldwide, in 180 countries.  We used our Ozobots, Bee Bots and also did some “unplugged” coding activities.  We learned about friction, creating sleds that we could speed up and slow down depending on what types of materials create more and less friction.  Many of our engineering activities were related to nursery rhymes and children’s books.  We built cars, boats, towers, and more.  The highlight of the term was the Star Lab planetarium.  We learned about the winter stars and constellations.