This is a STEM project, with the original idea coming out of Florida. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The project asks students to problem solving in a holistic manner using what they already know to 'hinge' onto and perhaps find a solution that meets the criteria. First the students heard a story of Clever Tom and the Leprechaun. Although Tom appears to solve the problem, it turns out that the leprechaun was just too clever and got away with the gold!
In this project, each pair of students does find the leprechaun's pot of gold BUT must cross over the river to get away. The problem is all the students have is that pot of gold to build the bridge.
Planning happens before the testing.
What works on paper may not work out with the real materials.
I love the conversations that happen...
..and the moment when it all goes wrong!
The teams must co-operate...
listen and try more than once.
Was the criteria met? The bridge had to be at least 3 cm in height!
Here's some happy faces!
This might mean there was success!
On the theme of leprechauns, there was a directed drawing lesson as well as filling out an application to become a leprechaun.
The students had to answer the following questions:
What tricks would you play of St. Patrick's Day? and
Where would you hide your pot of gold?
Everyone can be a leprechaun on St. Paddy's Day.
We did learn who the real St. Patrick was and learned that he was not Irish!
Who knew??!!
This was the busyness of a class room full of students and many mother and grandmother helpers.
Today was the day that had been marked on the calendar at the beginning of the month, but the students didn't know what exactly was going to happen.
With lots of help, they sewed sock monkeys!
There was tails, and arms and ears and snouts to sew on after each of those parts was filled with stuffing.
There were many adult hands to help start the sewing, tie up some knots and perhaps untangle some thread. It was a busy, busy time,
but with a 'can do' attitude, 24 sock monkeys were born!
Look at that concentration!
Happiness is doing something hard!
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