Building with Bricks includes funding from SVSU/ Dow Corning Foundation, Michigan Space Grant Consortium, and Janks Fund of Tuscola County Community Foundation.
Introduction: Amy Kuntz, a fourth grade teacher at Frank E. Schall Elementary in Caro, will address student perceptions concerning STEM and utilize a variety of LEGO sets and building tools to support current elementary technology, science, math, and engineering standards throughout this year-long project.
Problem Statement: This project will address three problem areas. First, being in a low income rural area, students are not exposed to the wide variety of careers and opportunities that exist in STEM fields. Second, especially in the elementary setting, students lack the opportunities to problem solve and expand their critical thinking skills. Last, students often do not see how the things they learn in school apply to the real world.
Procedures: Ms. Kuntz intends to augment the current curriculum in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math through various experiments and applications. The project will also feature a component to address student perceptions of STEM and STEM careers through lessons and videos. Although STEM career videos are available, Ms. Kuntz has already started to build a database of videos by pooling the resources of friends, family, and the community to create a greater student connection to these individuals.
Results: The expected results are that students will improve their perceptions of STEM and STEM careers, as well as developing a greater understanding of science, technology, engineering, math, problem solving, and critical thinking.
Conclusion: Through the use of STEM-related experiments and STEM career-centered lessons, students will gain real world knowledge and experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Methods and Materials:
Throughout the year long project, students will learn about varied STEM careers and perceptions about STEM by participating in lessons, listening to guest speakers, and taking assessments. Students will also use LEGO Education robotics sets and resource kits in cooperative groups to work through a variety of activities and challenges embedded in current math and science curriculum.
Activities, Guest Speakers, and Field Trips
Building Brick STEM Kits “give kids a fun new way to develop their STEM skills—with building bricks! From constructing a bridge for a car to cross to creating a marble maze, kids will love taking on each exciting challenge as they explore physical science concepts. Kit includes 253 building pieces, 4 marbles and 10 double-sided challenge cards.” (www.lakeshorelearning.com) These kits are reusable and will be used various times during the project.
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Core Sets
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Core Set is “a hands-on STEM solution that combines the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software, engaging standards-based projects and a discovery based approach.” (www.legoeducation.com) Hundreds of different lessons, all of which work with the set, are available online or can be created for different concepts. The set is resettable and reusable. Eight sets will need to be purchased to allow for smaller groups during monthly challenges.
LEGO Education Powered and Simple Machines
LEGO Education Powered and Simple Machines are used by exploring the engineering design process for advanced mechanisms, structures, and forces. The kit will be available for activities included in fourth grade units on Electricity and Alternative Energy. Powered and Simple Machines are durable and reusable.
LEGO Education Renewable Energy Add On
LEGO Education Renewable Energy Add On Set “allows students to learn about and understand renewable energy sources, including: solar energy, wind energy and hydro energy.” (www.legoeducation.com) Renewable energy is a topic in fourth grade science and social studies standards. This device can be reused and works in cooperation with the other LEGO Education kits being purchased.
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Replacement Parts Kit
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Replacement Parts Kit contains extra parts and connectors for the We.Do 2 Set. These extra parts and pieces are integral the builds being done for the monthly challenges. These pieces and parts can be reused.
Problem Statement: This project will address three problem areas. First, being in a low income rural area, students are not exposed to the wide variety of careers and opportunities that exist in STEM fields. Second, especially in the elementary setting, students lack the opportunities to problem solve and expand their critical thinking skills. Last, students often do not see how the things they learn in school apply to the real world.
Procedures: Ms. Kuntz intends to augment the current curriculum in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math through various experiments and applications. The project will also feature a component to address student perceptions of STEM and STEM careers through lessons and videos. Although STEM career videos are available, Ms. Kuntz has already started to build a database of videos by pooling the resources of friends, family, and the community to create a greater student connection to these individuals.
Results: The expected results are that students will improve their perceptions of STEM and STEM careers, as well as developing a greater understanding of science, technology, engineering, math, problem solving, and critical thinking.
Conclusion: Through the use of STEM-related experiments and STEM career-centered lessons, students will gain real world knowledge and experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Methods and Materials:
Throughout the year long project, students will learn about varied STEM careers and perceptions about STEM by participating in lessons, listening to guest speakers, and taking assessments. Students will also use LEGO Education robotics sets and resource kits in cooperative groups to work through a variety of activities and challenges embedded in current math and science curriculum.
Activities, Guest Speakers, and Field Trips
- One Schall Family Night will incorporate STEM related activities for students, family members, and community members.
- A personal database of videos featuring family, friends, and community members with STEM related occupations will be created.
- “Stella the STEMologist” LEGO videos will be created and used throughout the year, some with input from students.
- Virtual field trip opportunities that involve STEM in the real world will be explored, especially in areas where monthly challenges would likely occur.
Building Brick STEM Kits “give kids a fun new way to develop their STEM skills—with building bricks! From constructing a bridge for a car to cross to creating a marble maze, kids will love taking on each exciting challenge as they explore physical science concepts. Kit includes 253 building pieces, 4 marbles and 10 double-sided challenge cards.” (www.lakeshorelearning.com) These kits are reusable and will be used various times during the project.
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Core Sets
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Core Set is “a hands-on STEM solution that combines the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software, engaging standards-based projects and a discovery based approach.” (www.legoeducation.com) Hundreds of different lessons, all of which work with the set, are available online or can be created for different concepts. The set is resettable and reusable. Eight sets will need to be purchased to allow for smaller groups during monthly challenges.
LEGO Education Powered and Simple Machines
LEGO Education Powered and Simple Machines are used by exploring the engineering design process for advanced mechanisms, structures, and forces. The kit will be available for activities included in fourth grade units on Electricity and Alternative Energy. Powered and Simple Machines are durable and reusable.
LEGO Education Renewable Energy Add On
LEGO Education Renewable Energy Add On Set “allows students to learn about and understand renewable energy sources, including: solar energy, wind energy and hydro energy.” (www.legoeducation.com) Renewable energy is a topic in fourth grade science and social studies standards. This device can be reused and works in cooperation with the other LEGO Education kits being purchased.
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Replacement Parts Kit
LEGO Education We.Do 2 Replacement Parts Kit contains extra parts and connectors for the We.Do 2 Set. These extra parts and pieces are integral the builds being done for the monthly challenges. These pieces and parts can be reused.