From the Desk Learning
Junior School
Here is a look at just some of the hands-on, STEAM- related learning our budding scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in the Junior School have been experimenting with!
Fairy Tale STEAM Grade 1 students completed a Fairy Tale STEAM Challengewhere theywere taskedwithbuilding the strongest chair! They drafted ideas, planned outmaterials, built the chairs, and adjusted their designs before testing themout.
Rules of Rounding After reviewing the rules of rounding to the nearest ten, hundred, and thousand, Grade 4s created three of their own rounding questions. Theywrote their questions on a sidewalk square in chalk and took turns answering the questions. Creating their own questions and answers really helped to solidify themathematical concepts! Forces of Nature Grade 5s analyzed the effects of forces from natural phenomena on the natural and built environment. Using the engineering design process, theydevelopeda structure towithstand the simulation of a wind stormor earthquake. Exploring Electricity Grade 6s were introduced to concepts such as the effects of static electricity and how moving electrons can create an electric charge. They also discussedmaterials that are good conductors and insulators, and how to use switches to control theflowof anelectric current in a circuit. Then, they built their own circuit! Liftoff to Learning For an independent research project, Grade 6s chose a topic related to space.They researched their topic, organized their findings, and created a product to share their learning with their peers. Final products includedwebsites, posters, podcasts, articles, videos, and even a puppet show!
Tracking a Transformation The amazing process of a caterpillar
transforming into a butterfly was documented over several weeks by the Grade 1 class in their Monarch Journals. This Grade Can Grow Grade 3s participated in a virtual workshop about soils and plants called “Get the Dirt on Plants!” Students dissected a lima bean, created their own soil profile cards, and experimented with vermiculite for water absorption. They also investigated awide variety of materials that come fromplants, such as tea leaves and cork. The scientists then applied all their newfound knowledge to planting their ownmung beans and popcorn seeds. Let’s Go Fly a (Fraction) Kite Grade 4 students created equivalent fraction art kites. Each student first designed a kite that showed a fraction, and then discovered equivalent fractions in their kite. The completed kites also served as a colourful classroomdecoration!
26 | Red Blazer Spring 2022
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