IMSA-STEM
Tiger STEM Newsletter - SUMMER 2021
Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics
The "E" in STEM
E is for ENGINEERING! Engineering is the branch of science and technology that relates to the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures (Oxford Languages). Engineering helps students build upon science and math knowledge by allowing them to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and be problem-solvers. Engineering focuses on real-world application of basic scientific principles.
STEM education promotes the engineering habits of mind of:
- systems thinking
- creativity
- optimism
- collaboration
- communication
- attention to ethical considerations
The field of engineering is divided into a number of specialty areas and, according to the National Science Teachers Association, engineering makes the teaching of science much more equitable and accessible to every student. If you like to be creative, ask questions, and find solutions to problems or needs, a field in engineering might be for you!
To learn about engineering for very young learners, click the EdWeek article HERE!
Girls in engineering? Absolutely! Click HERE to learn more about EngineerGirl.org
To learn about the different fields of engineering, click HERE!
Finally, watch this short video to learn about what engineers do!
UPDATES FROM K-8
First Grade Project Based Learning with...Cinderella!
As follow up, students will reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their design and will determine what they could do better in their next shoe design.
PBL allows students to gain deeper knowledge through exploration of real-world challenges and problems and to practice communicating their ideas.
For video read-clouds of different versions of Cinderella:
Cendrillon (Caribbean)
The Rough Faced Girl (Native American)
Adelita (Mexico)
1st Grade Teachers: Ms. Allen, Ms. Jones, Ms. Leary
Photo Credit: Ms. Leary
Third Grade - LIVE from SPACE!
Ms. Stover reports that one of her math classes participated in a recent live Earth-to-space call with NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The LIVE from SPACE event was May 19th via NASA TV. The event was hosted by the Ohio State Department of Astronomy and SciAccess. NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet answered questions posed by students on the live Zoom connection.
Two students, Tyrice B. and Antwan M. posed questions to the astronauts. Antwaun asked if there is an American flag on the space station. The question was selected and answered by Michael Deming; "Yes, there are American flags on the International Space Station, as well as one on the surface of the moon which was left by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in 1969!". This was a great experience for student to observe and be able to ask questions!
Watch a video of the American flag being place on the moon in 1969!
To learn more about the International Space Station, click HERE!
3rd grade teachers: Ms. Stover (Math); Ms. Smiley (Science/Soc. Studies); Ms Marshall (ELA)
Photo Credit: Ms. Stover
6-8 Grade News and Photos!
6th GRADE
Students in 6C wrapped up their Tiny House projects earlier this month. Students worked in teams to design a tiny home that had to be able to fit a full house of furnishings. They used calculations of surface area, volume, area, and perimeter to help solve any design problems they encountered.
Once students completed their tiny house using construction paper, they chose a "lot" on a trifold bold. Ms. Aktas (Math) and students chose the name "Matrix City" for their tiny house community.
Students in 7B brainstormed issues that the Matrix City might encounter. One team focused on water; the lack of and need for clean water. Another team focused on finding solutions for poverty, disease, and infrastructure issues. Students applied the scientific process as they worked through considering these issues. Ms. Harris (science) and Mr. Comer (social studies) are working together to provide connected learning opportunities as students learn about and consider issues that are being faced in modern Africa.
Students also worked on a social studies/science project of designing a catapult or a fortress using popsicle sticks, rubber bands, spoons, etc. Students had to collect data and calculate velocity. They also made a graph of the trajectory of their projectile and then competed to win lollipops! Next, students will design a survival plan as they head to the Oregon Trail to learn about ecology.
7th GRADE
The 7B class made spears (safely!) as their social studies/science project. Again students worked in teams and collected data on their project. They held a friendly contest to see which team's spear had the longest distance and was most accurate.
8th GRADE
In Mr. Comer's social studies classes, 8th graders are learning about the Civil War and how cannons were a valuable and strategic piece of technology used. Many of these are still preserved today in battlefields.
In science, students built on their social studies knowledge and learned about the chemistry of a combustion reaction and considered distance and accuracy to design air cannons. The 8th graders were great at collaboration and even though there was competition involved, they helped each other improve their designs.
The current project for 8th grade includes connection of their industrialization unit (social studies) and review of the the Laws of Motion (science). Student will work on building a car that will prevent an egg (passenger) from cracking or breaking.
6-8 Social Studies teacher, Mr Comer; 6-8 Science, Ms. Harris, 6th grade Math, Ms. Aktas
Photo Credit: Ms. Harris
ROCKETRY UPDATE
The Rocketry Teams at IMSA West recently completed qualification attempts for The American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) 2021. Teams persevered in refining their designs and even rebuilding their rockets several times of the course of three days leading up to the qualification deadline, but unfortunately no team met the criteria to qualify for nationals this year. Rockets had to carry an egg and return to the ground with the egg unbroken. Requirements of the duration of the flight was 40-43 seconds and the rocket had to reach a minimum altitude in flight.
The teams did a great job and had fun. We look forward to adding more teams/students next year. A big THANK YOU to community partners and volunteers; Ryan Woebkenburg with Salesforce and Nathan Daniels with Raytheon - your support and guidance really helped our students!
Photo Credit: Dr. Ayyoub, Regional STEM Coordinator
NEXT STEM NEWSLETTER WILL BE FALL 2021!
Email: west@imsaindy.org
Website: https://west.imsaindy.org/
Location: 4575 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: (317) 298-0025
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imsawesttigers