What an amazing and challenging week we had! Our scholars worked hard daily on learning long division all the while studying electromagnets. The scholars learned about the properties of basic electromagnets through self-created tests. Here are some pictures of groups of students testing their electromagnets to show their properties.
Our scholars spent more than just an hour this week learning about coding and practicing their new skills. All of the students enjoyed this activity and all of them were curious to see just how much more they could do. Ask your scholar what interesting applications coding has that they didn't know about before this week. Then ask them to show you something that they learned about.
The most definite path to knowledge is through discovery. This past week our scholars began their journey to explore how electricity worked. They explored ways to create different types of circuits and they tested multiple types of materials for conductivity. The scholars were intrigued by the simplicity of such an important form of energy. Next week we will use this knowledge to create our Holiday cards to support the Heifer International charity. The cards will be lit up using a circuit that the scholars create.
We have so much that we would like to show you here at Cannon on Thursday from 6-7. Plan to participate in a STEM challenge that relates to our cross-curricular project. You will also want to look at the work your scholar has completed. Then on your way out you can check out the cardboard museum in the Gymnasium, see a Robotics presentation in the Media Lab, and even visit the Book Fair. STEM night will be a blast and we hope to see you there!
The scholars were busy learning during this Lab. They looked for evidence to show what effects wind, water movement, and ice could have on different types of soil. They were collecting their data to record and then later analyze. It's amazing to watch them as they make meaningful connections to true science.
These scholars have spent multiple classes solving one problem! Together they have created models and collected evidence to prove their answers. In this picture they are creating a CER statement to show what they know.
We launched our first cross-curricular project last week. Scholars summarized their learning from our NASA Webinar and began making connections to Science and Social Studies content. Scholars were then asked to analyze the Native American Proverb "It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story." The level of questioning and conversation was incredible as students begin to apply the meaning of the proverb to the possible learning connections.
The following are concept connections that our scholars made during the launch: Social Studies Texas - Past and Present Native Americans Geography of Texas Regions Settlers Culture Transportation Shelter Medicine Science Natural Resources Water Cycle Weather Soil Properties - Vegetation, Crops Changes to Earth's Surface Technology Advances Plant/Animal Relationships We will be starting our first cross curricular project of the year within the next two weeks. Our introductory event will allow our scholars the opportunity to connect with scientists from NASA on October 1st via webinar. The webinar will provide a platform for students to investigate earth through astronaut imagery!
EVENT TITLE: Investigating Earth with Astronaut Imagery From Space EVENT DESCRIPTION: This event will engage your students (grades 4-8) as they observe stunning images of Earth taken by astronauts on the International Space Station. Students will learn about topics such as hurricanes, volcanoes, glaciers and more! Participants will also learn how they can get directly involved in NASA exploration by requesting imagery of Earth from astronauts to support a classroom investigation. This introductory event will set the stage for our scholars to begin asking questions about our earth and technologies. In social studies, they will zoom into Texas regions and explore earth through the eyes of Native Americans and early settlers. In science, they will explore renewable and nonrenewable resources, bridge into the water cycle (evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, percolation, runoff), soil properties (in relation to crops and vegetation of Texas regions), weather and weather patterns, which will lead us to changes on earth's surface (weathering, erosion, deposition - related to our Texas landforms and past settlements). Throughout the project students will be debating pros and cons of technological advances as they relate to past and present life in Texas. Scholars will also have several engineering opportunities along the way. This will all be showcased during our STEM family night on November 13th on the Great Plains of Cannon Elementary! *Weather permitting :) Stay tuned! We will communicate with you as we are moving through the various learning experiences so that you can make connections at home. Thank you all for your incredible support. Please contact us with any questions! Communication, communication, communication! Take a look what these STEM scholars are accomplishing. Each of these groups was challenged to listen, share, and evaluate ideas from themselves and others. Then they were challenged to create their product as a team based off of a design that they all agreed on. The question is, which was more challenging? Was it the design or the team work? For this great group of scholars it wasn't the teamwork.
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