Collaboratory Corner

#CollaboratoryCubs in Action

Because our Collaboratory Cubs have become experts in the Engineering Design Process, they were ready to tackle their first big engineering unit!  

Our kindergarten students in Ms. Kopec's class transformed into civil engineers, and they learned all about bridges!  They studied examples of real-life bridges to explore the different types of bridges, and they learned about the important parts that make up bridges, such as piers and abutments (which quickly became the students' favorite engineering word LOL).  They tested materials to make sure they were strong, sturdy, and stable, and they practiced using old materials in new ways.  Finally, they took everything that they learned and made plans to create their own bridges.  However, they also had an additional challenge to consider.  Their challenge was to design and create their own bridge that would allow our Hexbug friends to cross the river without falling into the water.  Our students were so creative with their designs and their materials!  They made improvements along the way (such as adding a "Hexbug railing") until they were successful in the challenge.  I continue to be impressed with their hard work and perseverance!  They never gave up even when it was tricky, just like real-life engineers.

Our first grade students in Mrs. Kimble's class transformed into optical engineers, and they learned all about how light works.   They did so many experiments to gain a deeper understanding of reflection, refraction, and absorption.  They even explored light intensity!  Right now, they are about to put their knowledge of light to the test.  They are designing and creating Collaboratory Caves, which will have a Level 4 Light Intensity, and it will be their jobs to create internal lighting systems in the cave to improve that light intensity score!  I can't wait to see what they create!

Our second and third graders have transformed into environmental engineers! In Mrs. Elliss's second grade class, the students learned about the importance of providing clean water to communities.  They learned all about where our water comes from and how people in other communities gather and filter their water.  Then, our students were challenged to design and create their own water filtration systems.  They tested different materials, imagined a variety of ideas, and drafted their blueprints.  Then, they started to build and test their creations.  I can't wait to see what improvements they make to their systems along the way!

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In Mrs. Adams-Paul's third grade class, the students learned all about oil spills and the extreme damage that they can cause.  They studied how environmental engineers tackle a big oil spill clean-up and how they focus on containing the oil first before removing it.  Then, we prepared for our oil spill clean-up simulation.  Students tested out materials that fit into their budget and watched how they interacted with the oil.  Then, they planned out the best oil spill clean-up process that they could, and they are in process of testing out their methods now.  They will continue to make improvements until they are satisfied that their process is as effective as it could be.

Our fourth grade virtual students transformed into mechanical engineers, and they learned all about the many jobs of windmills and how they work.  They studied the various parts of a windmill and gathered materials that they thought would be able to replicate those parts.  The most important part of a windmill is the sails/blades because they are responsible for catching the wind, which allows the windmill to function and perform work.  We did some virtual testing of sail materials using a simulated zip line, and the students applied what they learned to design and create their own windmills.  The students finished up their prototypes this week, and we had a blast testing them virtually!

Our fifth grade students in Mr. Cramer's class have been very busy!  First, they have officially completed the upgrade to the Collaboratory Cruiser!  They did such an amazing job transforming our mobile Collab!

 

Now, our fifth graders have entered the world of hydroponics, and they are in the process of learning about all of the benefits of hydroponic gardening.  We even had Melissa Tracy join us virtually as a guest speaker to share all about the hydroponic systems that she uses with her students.  We can't wait to begin construction on our own hydroponics systems this week!

I can't wait to finish up the marking period strong with these classes, and I'm already excited to share these units with my second marking period students!