How do you survive a zombie attack?

Grade 4 answered that question this week as part of their Halloween STEAM challenge.  

The challenge began with a short questionnaire asking them to decide if they would go to the city or the country and whether they would hide or run.  They decided who they would need to rely upon - doctors, friends, family - and what supplies they would need.  Partners put their collaboration skills together for this "high-stake" challenge.  

Then they summarized their strategy as S.M.A.R.T. objective.  There objectives were very specific - although I do not know how attainable they would be if there was a zombie attack as none of us have ever actually experienced one.

Once their objectives were written they created their version of where they would hide during a zombie attack with LEGOs.  

Stay tuned for next week.  Grade 4 is going to make stop animation movies of LEGO people trying to fulfill their objectives.

Skills, Skills and More Skills with Early Childhood

Using the Computers 

With Kindergarten

The Kindergarten class has been working on their fine motor technology skills to control the computer mouse.  

They played "Bees and Honey" to learn to hold the mouse, move the pointer to a desired location, click on an object, and drag an object to a desired location.  

They then used those skills to create a picture in Pixie of a scene with bees and honey.

Students are encouraged to keep practicing their mouse skills at home.  These skills will allow them to continue to learn and explore more topics on the computers.

"Gross" Motor Skills 

With Nursery Students

The nursery students heard the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and then were challenged to use their motor skills to build towers in the clouds.  Most of the students loved the unique way to build; although a few thought it was gross.

  

Having some cleaner fun!

Creating Circuit Blocks

Creating Circuit Blocks

with Grade 7

Grade 7 students have been working on creating circuit blocks.  This project is the combination of their work with circuitry, mechanics and computer graphics.

First, they explored and created circuits using Snap Circuits to understand which components they wanted to include in their blocks.

Then they created the blocks in Tinkercad to be printed on the 3D-printer.  They had to measure the components and create a casement for them including opening for wires and labels.  This involved layout and measurement principles.  They decided to color code their blocks with the power, load and switch blocks having different colors.  

After they changed the filament and leveled the 3D-printer, they started printing their first block.  They are excited to start printing their blocks and testing their circuits.  

It's Not a Ball - It's a Robot

Sphero Painting

Nursery 2

The Nursery 2 students were introduced to robots.  They learned that a robot is a machine they can control.  Then they controlled the Sphero robot with an iPad to paint a picture of the moon.

Learning the Engineering Design Process

This week the Kindergarten class reviewed the Engineering Design Process.

They asked a question.  How do you get rid of an itch on your back?

The answer is make a back-scratcher.

What supplies will we use?

We will use Zometools. 

They imagined solutions and planned their designs.

They created their designs from Zometools.  

Some designs had short handles; some had long handles.  

Some designs had many points for scratching; some only had one.

Each design was unique. 

Then they tested their designs and made improvements.  In the end their back-scratchers were just the right length to reach their backs and stayed together when being used.

They successfully implemented the Engineering Design Process and will be on to bigger and more complex designs next time.

Learning "Learning Launchers" with Grade 4

Learning "Learning Launchers"

with Grade 4

Grade 4 is learning to use the Lab digital curriculum (called "Learning Launchers") and to document their work with Google Classroom.  Understanding this process will allow them to work on independently on paired projects and strength their 21st Century Skills of communication, collaboration, problem solving and time management.

Their challenge for this Learning Launcher was to create a comic using ComicLife software that depicted them using their talents to better their community. Each pair of students had to collaborate on one comic which incorporated both their their talents towards a common goal.

Off to a Great Start

The New Year

Every class from Grade 8 to Nursery 2 have been to the Innovation Lab for their first STEAM class where they were reminded of the goals for their work in the Lab.  

Early Childhood and Lower School students worked on challenges 

designed to work on collaboration skills.

Middle School students were challenged to create a comic strip using Comic Life with a partner.  

The comics depicted what they can do to make their world better using their talents and strengths.

Working so hard that an ice pack was needed!

Spending a little extra time to work on a puzzle.

The beginning of this year marked the launch of the HCA Morning Broadcast, a filmed newscast including the daily prayers, announcements, reports and special features, created by the Eighth Grade and played each morning in each classroom.