For the past two weeks, the fifth and sixth grade students have been performing controlled experiments to determine how well different water filter materials will filter different types of contaminated water. Groups were given water contaminated with soil, tea, or cornstarch. The different filter materials they tested are screen, paper filters, sand and gravel, cotton balls, and cheese cloth. As the students tested the materials, they were recording their observations, and using three different criteria to determine the effectiveness of the materials. The criteria is clarity, amount of particles or sediment, and the time it takes to filter one quarter cup of water.
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Last week, the fifth and sixth grade students took the role of environmental engineers. They learned that environmental engineers address problems of air, water, and soil contamination. The students also discussed natural and artificial contaminates, and further discussed some approaches that can be taken to fix and prevent some contamination. The activity involved each group analyzing a mural of a community, while identifying examples of air, soil, and water contamination.
The fifth and sixth grade students are working in groups to research alternative fuels. They have completed their recycled racer models, and as green engineers, have selected appropriate alternative fuels. The students understand that fossil fuels cause pollution, are not renewable, and can be depleted. Each group will write a persuasive essay that will convince our audience that their fuel is the best choice for our environment and our future. For the final product, students will create a persuasive digital presentation using the Showme app.
The fifth and sixth grade students have completed their racers, and have loved competing against each other! Each class has raced to determine who has created the racer that is the fastest, and which will go the furthest. It has been such an exciting week!
This week, the students are completing their recycled racers, and the races will begin next week! The students will compete to find the fastest racer, and the racer that will travel the farthest distance. It is going to be an exciting week! As Green Engineers, the next step will be for the students to identify different types of alternative energy to power their recycled racers. Each class will research different possibilities of renewable, and nonrenewable resources. Finally, in teams, the students will write persuasive essays, and create a digital presentation of their findings. The students will use the ShowMe app on the new iPad minis. It is a wonderful presentation app that will allow students to use images from the internet, pictures, and narration to present their ideas.
The fifth and sixth grade students have been working very hard on their recycled racers for the last few weeks. The STEM Lab has transformed into a workshop with students working feverishly on their racers! The students are working through the engineering design process, and are in many different stages. Improvements are constantly being made as the students problem solve to create their "perfect" racer!
ASU student's Ashley Yost and Curtis Bryant visited the STEM Lab last week. Both students are part of the EcoCAR 3 outreach program. The EcoCAR 3 team is participating in an advanced vehicle technology competition. Ashley and Bryant delivered a wonderful presentation to the students explaining the competition, and the process the team is going through. They led a wonderful discussion that began with alternative fuels, a perfect introduction to a topic we will be researching as part of our recycled racers project.
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AuthorMrs. Houseman-STEM Specialist Archives
May 2015
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