Week #1 in the STEAM Lab was a big success! All grade levels participated in a teamwork challenge, practicing their skills of communication, collaboration, and GRIT. 
1st graders built tower structures by balancing mini-cups and craft sticks. 
2nd graders worked in teams to create the longest paper chain possible out of only 2 1/2 sheets of construction paper.
3rd graders built tower structures out of clothespins and pencils, quickly learning the importance of a strong base!
4th graders engineered a perch for their stuffed animal out of straws and tape.
5th graders worked together to transfer 10 marbles from one cup to another by creating a device out of only a rubber band and 4 pieces of string (no hands could touch the cups!).

I got a bit behind on my updates ... we've been busy! 

1st Grade wrapped up their coding unit by animating their own short stories in Scratch Jr. They started their robotics unit, learning how to write “just right” lines and codes for Ozobots. They are currently working on creating zoo maps for their Ozobot to explore.

2nd Grade wrapped up their coding unit by creating a “Crossy Game” in Scratch Jr. Their game themes were so creative! They started their robotics unit, learning to draw lines and codes for Ozobots. Along with the 1st graders, they are creating zoo maps for their Ozobot to explore.

3rd Grade built and coded various robots using our Lego WeDo kits. They had fun figuring out how to code their Milo bots to race the fastest! They are currently working through their maze unit. So far, they’ve practice teamwork while building Lego marble mazes and learned about the properties of magnets while creating a Magnetic Maze. More maze fun to come!

4th Grade learned about closed and open circuits while building “paper circuits” out of copper tape, a coin cell battery, and an LED light. They engineered towers to support a stack of books for Read Across America Week, and participated in STEM Stations.

5th Grade learned about conductive and nonconductive materials while also learning how to use a Makey Makey to create a controller for their computer. They completed a fun St. Patrick’s Day STEM activity where they engineered a penny bridge and participated in STEM Stations.

Maker Club has continued to learn about electronic components with Arduinos, 3D printed a word in their own handwriting, and created a bristle bot!

Here is a sampling of pictures from the past few months ...

December went by so fast! Here is what we've been up to in the STEAM Lab ...

1st Grade - Worked in Scratch Jr to code an Under the Sea animation and practiced thinking like engineers as they built a 3-tier snowman that could balance!
2nd Grade - Practiced their coding skills with a fun "unplugged" activity and then coded a project in Scratch Jr. to show what they learned. They wrote codes/instructions for a dog to collect bones, avoid puddles, and make it to her doghouse.
3rd Grade - Started working on their Animate a Name project in Scratch and are doing awesome!
4th Grade - Explored and completed robot challenges with Cubelets. They also participated in some fun STEM stations just before the winter break. Check out THIS FUN VIDEO of the Cubelets.
5th Grade - Made and tested bubble wands with 3D Pens and also got to explore and build robots with the Cubelets.
Maker Club - Made Cube Creatures with the 3D Pens and learned to use CAD software to design keychains for our 3D printer.

It's so nice to be back to a close to normal routine in the media center! September was a busy month with all grade levels learning about how to be good Digital Citizens. We talked, played games, watched videos, and reflected on how we can be smart, safe, respectful and responsible when we go online. Check out the 2nd graders Digital Footprints with THIS LINK. They filled their footprints with information that is safe to share online. 4th and 5th graders are currently working on coding projects in Scratch to share what they learned in our Digital Citizenship unit.

My after school, LAEF Maker Club, has been busy learning about circuits with Arduinos, as well as exploring the insides of old electronics (see images below).

It's sure been an unusual school year! But, our circumstances aren't stopping us from working hard and learning together. In September, all grade levels participated in several weeks of Digital Citizenship lessons and I am so proud of their thoughtful reflections. October and November were full of fun STEM lessons, mostly focused on engineering and science. Students watch a weekly video lesson from me and complete their activities at home. Below is a compilation of some of the amazing projects they have been working on. I'm so proud of them! If the video is blocked, try this link.

The media center was being used for an assembly, so we held out class in the art room for a day. Why not use the time for a fun St. Patrick's Day Ozobot challenge? Students found different pathways to get their Ozobot to the pot of gold.  Some found the shortest path, some found the longest path, and others made sure that the Ozobot would make there no matter what path it took.

Kindergarten explored Ozobots and Bee-Bots in the makerspace
1st-2nd continued their coding unit with Scratch Jr.
3rd-5th continued their coding unit with Scratch on the computers
Makerclub had fun with paper circuits and Makey Makey's

Kinder continued their Lego Build challenges.
1st and 2nd grade started their coding unit using Scratch Jr. on the iPads.
4th grade learned about Binary code and made keychains with their initials in binary code.
5th grade began their coding unit using Scratch on the computers.

Kinders continued their build stations.
1st graders finished their Ozobot unit by creating a zoo map for the Ozobot to explore.
2nd graders engineered a device that would help their Ozobot participate in a beach clean-up. Check out this video!
3rd graders started programming with Lego WeDo (pics to come)
4th graders explored with Cubelets to learn about how robots sense, think, and act.
5th graders started designing with 3D Pens.

This month all grade levels have been learning to be smart, safe, responsible, and respectful when on the Internet. 1st grade learned how to use websites that are safe for kids, 2nd grade made these awesome Digital Footprints to show the kind of information that is safe to share online, 3rd grade wrapped up their unit by playing a Digital Citizenship board game, and 4th and 5th grade are currently working on projects to share their knowledge of how to be smart and safe online (pics to come).

Also this month ...
1st and 2nd graders started their Ozobot unit, learning to draw "just right" lines and codes for their robots to follow. 
Kindergartners started their Makerspace stations where they used imagination and teamwork to engineer structures with the provided building materials.

School is back in full swing and so are things in the Makerspace! As we work through our Digital Citizenship lessons during rotations, the Makerspace is a busy place to be during students' free time. Things like Coloring Club, Snap Circuits, Kindness Rocks, and our new 3D Printer are what's been keeping us busy these last few weeks!