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Case Study

STEAM Grades 2-4

“Creativity is the secret sauce to science, technology, engineering and math.”

– Ainissa Ramirez

Introduction

Challenge

STEAM empowers teachers to employ project-based learning that crosses all five disciplines (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) and fosters an inclusive learning environment where all students are able to engage and contribute.

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The challenge is to build the tallest freestanding structure using only the materials provided. The structure must stand on its own; touching or supporting is not allowed. The structure must sustain 10 seconds of a natural disaster, i.e., shaking the table.

Process

Think, Pair and Share 

 

This format allows students to think for themselves, discuss with a partner, and then share to a broader group such as the whole class. The partner discussion is often the difference between shy students participating or holding back. By talking things through with a partner, they can sort out their thoughts and gain the confidence to contribute to a group discussion.

 

Pages 1 & 2: Thinking activity

 

Pages 3 & 4: Pair and Share activity

 

This age-appropriate document is to plan and display the student's learning process. 

Teachers have another option to use the DIY Forum created by the DIY LEARNING TEAM. 

Outcomes

Building & Testing Materials and Design Experiment STEAM

Students will:

 

  • use a variety of materials and techniques, design, construct and test structures

  • select appropriate materials for use in construction tasks and explain the choice of materials

  • choose a variety of tools and materials that are suitable for particular tasks

  • explain how knowing the purpose and use guides decisions about materials and design

  • compare and evaluate the strength and stability of different models or objects constructed

  • apply procedures to test different designs and to test the strength of the various methods of joining

Reflection

How does STEAM fit into the context of DIY learning? How would you use the DIY template proposed on this site to help navigate the complexities of this project?

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