Grade 7 Project

The 7th Grade today took their Christmas challenge to another level.  They were challenged to create a Christmas tree from objects in the lab that could one ornament.  However instead of a number of Charlie Brown trees that could only support one ornament, the class decided to all work together to create a tree they really were proud of.  The tree is now in their homeroom where they will use it as a focal point for their class gift exchange.

Ella creating the tree stand.

Jabar, Carolyn and Ava gluing decorations on the tree skirt.

John and Lucas wiring lights. 

Taylor, Kirstin and Lily creating the tree.

Will glittered the writing on the tree skirt.

The finished project:

It would not be a STEAM Lab tree without a monkey on it!

And speaking of the talents of the 7th Graders, here is a video they created to remind students about the donation drive to help the Providence Center.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Even the Lab is getting into the holiday spirit.  

Students in various grades have been challenged to create holiday decorations
from materials in the Lab.

Zometool present created by Grade 6

Candy cane and Christmas tree forest created by Grade 2

Wreath created by Grade 6

It works!

It is the moment that the students of the Lower School and Early Childhood have been waiting for - the Big Ball Tower is finished and it works!  Congratulations to Karl and Aidan!  All of your perseverance, problem solving and hard work has payed off. 

Parents' Turn in the Innovation Lab

This week at the Mission Party, parents got their turn to try some of the challenges the students have been working on this year.

There was the Sphero Hay Maze, the Makey-Makey Skeleton Operation Game and more.

If you did not have time to stop by the Lab during the Mission Party but are interested in what your child(ren) are doing in STEAM, please sign up for a conference on November 15 or 16. 

Sphero Hay Maze

This time of year many people visits farms and try to find their way out of hay and corn mazes.  So this week the Early Childhood and Lower School classes have had the opportunity to try to get Sphero out of a K'nex hay maze.

The hay maze will be one of many activities available for parents to try in the STEAM Lab during the Mission Party next week.  Come see if you are able to get out.

Monkeys

Why are there so many monkeys in the Innovation Lab?

Students in all grades are fascinated by the stuffed monkeys in the Lab.  However, the monkeys have a real purpose in the Lab.  They are to remind the students that they are in charge of their learning path in the lab.  In the Lab it is not "monkey see, monkey do".  We want the students to individualize their projects to their own interests and skills.  They are to challenge themselves to be creative and problem solvers.

Grade Four Web Sites

ePortfolio Website Design

In Grade 4 students start working with partners on individual projects using the Creative Learning Systems Launchers.  To document their work they each created their own website using Google Sites.
On these ePortfolios the students will post their journals and presentations about their work on their projects.  Each year in Middle School they will add an additional page to continue to document their projects. 

For privacy these sites are only accessible to those with a Holy Child Academy email address. 

When students are in Grade 8 they are given the option to change the publish setting to allow others (including admission counselors at high schools) to view their sites.  You are welcome to ask your child to log on and show you their site. 

 

LEGOs, LEGOs, Everywhere!

LEGOs in the Lab

LEGOs are everywhere in the Lab.  They are used in Early Childhood, Lower School and Middle School classes.  They are used for Mechanics and Structures challenges but for much more.  

First Grade using LEGOs to model coding loops and functions.

Eli and Marin (Grade 8) are designing and building their own EV3 LEGO robot.

This year we also started a LEGO Lunch for students in Grades 1-4.  On Day 4 of each rotation students have lunch together in the Lab and then work on LEGO projects during recess.  The goal is for students to enter their projects in late winter at a First LEGO League Jr. competition. 

LEGO Lunch Moon Rover Robot

STEAM Stories

STEAM STORIES

After School Program

STEAM Stories is an after school offering on Mondays for students in Grades PreK to Grade 1.  The students listen to a story and then work on STEAM projects related to the story.

The first week story was Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.  This book is about how a simple dot can lead to beautiful self-discovery when you are brave enough to persevere, be creative, and try new things.

The students completed three dot related activities.

First, students colored a sheet from QuiverVision.  The Quiver app is an augmented reality coloring app which turns pictures the students color into 3D digital representations which seem to float above the page.  The student's dots looked like beach balls above the paper and they could try to "hold" the ball with their hand.

Second, students created colorful spin art dots using SNAP Circuits. SNAP Circuits are a tool to introduce circuitry to young students who do not have the fine motor skills to work with wires.  All the components of the SNAP Circuits snap together.

Third, they also created digital graphic pointillism pictures using Pixie for the iPad.

These activities were in conjunction with International Dot Day on September 15, 2018 and the students received a certificate for their work from the Reynolds Center.

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This past week we read Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty.  This story about a young inventor who learns from her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) that when that it is okay if the first attempt at a project or design does not work.  The story explains that a first attempt is just that - a FIRST attempt.  An inventor or engineer goes on to have a second attempt and a third attempt, ...

For their project the students attempted to make a paper helicopter with the Rose Revere, Engineer pattern.  They found that these paper helicopters did not spin very well.   We discussed the Engineering Design Process and use it as they then created a second attempt using a different pattern and tested it.  These helicopters spun much better.

Early Childhood in the Innovation Lab

Early Childhood in the Innovation Lab

Even the youngest students at HCA enjoy working on challenges in the Innovation Lab.  While these students are developing their problem solving, technical, and mechanical skills through challenges, they are also working on their collaboration and communication skills. 

Kindergarten has worked with Zoobs and Zometools to explore "What Do You Do with an Idea?" and the engineering design process.

After listening to the story The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, PreK students were challenged to work with partners to collaborate on a Zometool shape.  Zometools are more challenging building manipulatives and students had to demonstrate perseverance and to remember that it is acceptable to make mistakes as long as they try again.

Nursery students were challenged to build together with plastic cups.  They decided that they wanted to build a zoo so we included the plastic animals.  They worked well together and came up with many creative solutions for the animals - they were surrounded by cups, on the cups and in the cups.

Our youngest friends are ready for their first video with the green screen!

A matter of perspective

Every grade has been welcomed back to the Innovation Lab with an introductory challenge.  For the Middle School this challenge involved Google Earth. They refreshed their technical skills while collaborating with a partner to take multiple images of the same landmark from different perspectives.  

While completing this challenge students were asked to respond to the question "How do you view the world?"  Their responses were thoughtful and enlightening.  

"I view the world as something that is always changing. Even the tiniest changes can make a difference."

"I view the world as a big question because we don't have all the answer to this world."

"I view the world as a place where all creatures can live and prosper."

"I think the world is beautiful, but it's not perfect.  I love seeing gorgeous sights and I hope I can see more of them."

"Earth is a very diverse planet, and we should try to preserve it, and protect its life."

"I view the world as a place where there is good and there is evil.  And when we are focusing on the evil, it is important to remember the good."

"I view the world as a bunch of different things - like a sea of opportunities, sea of people and dreams, full of wonders and mysteries, discoveries, something that we have to love and keep healthy, one of God's creations and most importantly my home."

Welcome

Welcome to the Holy Child Academy Innovation Lab blog.  This blog will be a window into the happening in the STEAM Lab.  Each week student activities and projects will be highlighted.