STEM is about more than just Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It’s about learning to be a problem-solver, using creativity to innovate, and thinking outside the box in all areas of life! STEM is a state of mind, and in our class, we love to incorporate STEM into expected and unexpected places. Come explore with us!
-
A Christmas Crime
Our Christmas tree was stolen! Students used chromatography forensics to find the culprit among our various suspects, who included the Grinch and a Nutcracker. Spoiler alert…it was Olaf!
-
Literature + STEM
In our lower grade STEM class, picture books are often the catalyst for great STEM experiences. We’ve engineered Itsy-bitsy Spider webs, experimented with 3 little pig housing materials, and designed, built, and raced our dream cars–all inspired by some great children’s literature.
-
Telegraphs
While studying U.S. Westward Expansion in social studies class, students used Makey-Makey kits to design and build their own telegraph systems. Wires, aluminum foil, and even their classmates’ hands were used to build circuits with buttons that could be pressed to send Morse code messages. Check out the school Facebook page for videos of these…
-
Roller Coasters!
A trip to Cedar Point becomes an eye-opening experience when you’ve first learned about the forces behind the rides and built your own marble roller coasters!
-
Operation: Mars Rover Drop
A science unit on astronomy opens up our class to tons of awesome STEM activities. One of our favorites was this challenge in which students designed delivery systems for their very fragile payloads–Mars rovers that looked suspiciously like eggs. To add extra drama, egg prices had recently skyrocketed (no pun intended), so breaking an egg…
-
Probability Critters
What will yours be like? A math activity on probability guided students through building these adorable puff ball pets.
-
Engineering the Ocean
Exploring the Deep I love it when the stars align! Learning about oceans is part of this year’s science curriculum, AND ocean exploration is this year’s FIRST Lego League theme! So we dove right in! (See what I did there? Subtle, right?) One of our many activities while reading the book “Far from Shore” was…
-
Cup Structures vs. The AIR-ZOOKA!
And other adventures in our lower grade STEM class. In this challenge, our young engineers learned about testing and iterating as they built cup and notecard structures, then shot an Air-Zooka to see how well the structures stood. With monsters and Lego towers, our youngest designers explored the science concept of balance.
-
Nature Connections
Field Trip + Classroom Experiences = Deep Learning Our local Kingwood Gardens hosted a special exhibit of nature-inspired Lego displays, so of course we HAD to go see that! Afterwards, the whole school got together for a special literature and STEM activity. Students read books about a biome of their choosing, built a Lego model…
-
Where Will STEM Take Us Next?
Over the years, the MSDA School robotics team has won second and first place awards at our regional tournaments multiple times, earning us invitations to championships in California and Florida. Last year’s team, Beefy Cargo, won the Champion’s Award at their regional competition and placed first in Robot Design at the championship in Apopka, FL.…
-
The Physics of Cedar Point
Before our trip to Cedar Point, students learned about the physics of rides–from rollers coasters to bumper cars to tilt-a-whirls. We studied centripetal motion, g forces, potential and kinetic energy, and other fun concepts. They even built marble roller coasters. Later, at the park, a student at the top of the pirate ship ride called out, “I feel…
-
Math in Disguise
At first glance, it only looks like art (awesome art, but still, just art). Yet hidden behind those works of art you’ll find mathematics concepts like angle measurement and ratios. Peruse our gallery and enjoy!
-
DNA is Delicious!
Modeling DNA with Twizzlers and marshmallows was tasty. Learning about Punnett squares with bunny rabbits was adorable. But the kids’ favorite activity was definitely discovering heredity while creating wacky potato heads!
-
We’re On TV!
Remember last year’s FIRST Lego League team and the awesome invention they created as their Innovation Project? Then remember how COVID struck and canceled their competition three days before they were going to share their idea with the world (well, with the judges, but still…they worked so hard…). Thanks to the PBS show NewsDepth, the…
-
Weather Science Fair
There are so many fun and worthwhile labs, experiments, and activities a class can do when learning about weather. During our unit on weather, we did plenty of whole-class, hands-on learning to discover and explore important weather concepts. Yet to take things a step further, each student also chose a particular area of weather to learn…
-
STEAM Night
Remember when we used to be allowed to hold events? Well, to help us relish times gone by and look forward to the day when we can return to normal, here is a look back at our STEAM Night last February, 2020, when families enjoyed hands-on STEAM activities together and admired some of our students’…
-
Geology Rocks!
Obviously, science in the “S” in STEM. So any time you’re doing science, you’re doing STEM, right? Well…maybe. But in my heart (and this is a subject very close to my heart), STEM learning is about more that just “doing” science, technology, engineering, or math. It is a way of thinking, learning, and discovering that…
-
Lower Grade STEM Class 2020
Most years our lower grade STEM class takes part in programs such as FIRST Lego League Jr. and Invention Convention. After all our events were canceled last year, and it looked like this year would be the same story, we switched gears and are enjoying a variety of different STEM activities. Here are some examples.…
-
The Cross-Walker
Every year in FIRST Lego League, the robotics team must solve a theme-based problem with an innovative solution. This year’s theme, City Shaper, challenged kids to research and solve a problem related to buildings and public places. Read on to learn, in the kids’ own words, about the team’s chosen problem along with photos of…
-
The Age of Exploration
In social studies class, students began by learning about the Age of Exploration–Christopher Columbus, Magellan, the Spanish conquistadors, and all the rest. To infuse STEM into this unit, we took the opportunity to learn about the ships used by these explorers. Then we dove into a study of buoyancy and the science of why boats…