Collaboratory Corner

Engineering Excitement

We have been moving and shaking in the Collaboratory, and we don't plan on slowing down any time soon!  After the Global Cardboard Challenge, our students participated in some fun fall-themed challenges to continue practicing working through the steps of the Engineering Design Process.  Then, at the beginning of the month, all of our grade levels started their new Collaboratory units!


Our kindergarten students have transformed into civil engineers, learning all about different types of bridges and the materials that are used to build bridges.  We read the intro story to our "Designing Bridges" unit, which is called Javier Builds a Bridge.  The students learned about beam bridges, arch bridges, and suspension bridges, even using the proper vocabulary terms to discuss the parts of bridges (piers, span, abutments, etc.).  Soon, students were testing a variety of materials to see which ones were sturdy and stable enough to use to build a bridge.  They also started to use the different materials to build beam bridges with lots of piers!  Take a peek at the students testing different materials for their research:

Our first graders have entered the world of optical engineering by starting their "Designing Lighting Systems" unit!  We read the intro story, which is called Omar's Time to Shine, and they did some experiments to learn more about some of the effects that light can have on different materials.  The students' favorite experiment involved testing how sunlight can affect different types of paper.  Some students did some short-term sunlight testing by creating solar print bookmarks to see how quickly sun can affect printing paper.  Some students did some long-term sunlight testing by creating "Collaboratory Cave Drawings" that they cut in half so that half of the drawing could hang on the window in the sun for a week and the other half could stay in a desk drawer protected for a week.  When the students put the two parts of their drawings back together, they were amazed by the results!   We also started doing some experiments with mirrors and flashlights!  We can't wait to continue with our research about light!

Our second graders are learning all about environmental engineering and about the vital role that water plays in the lives of people, animals, and plants. We read the intro story, which is called Saving Salila's Turtle, which led to the students doing some research about the Global Water Crisis.  They discovered how many places around the world do not have access to clean water like they do here in Tabernacle.  The students are also learning about different methods that can be used to filter contaminated water, which will help them start to brainstorm different ideas for designing their own water filters later in this unit.  

Our third graders have taken a dive into the world of ocean engineering by beginning their "Designing Submersibles" unit!  We read the intro story, which is called Despina Makes a Splash, and the students have started to do some research to learn more about the ocean, the ocean currents, and the ocean floor.  They have also completed some experiments to learn more about volume and density and the role that both play in buoyancy as they prepare to design and create their own submersibles.

Our fourth graders have been channeling their inner designers, inventors, and entrepreneurs, and the Collaboratory has been sounding like an episode of Shark Tank for the past few weeks, which could only mean one thing:  it's time for the NJSBA STEAM Tank Competition!!!  The students have done an amazing job creating prototypes, logos, and sales pitches for the products that they created!  We are very much looking forward to the TES STEAM Tank Preliminary Competition on December 2nd! 

Stay tuned to see where our adventures take us over the next few weeks!