Collaboratory Corner

International Dot Day:  The Maker Way

Our Collaboratory Cubs have been busy reviewing everything they know about engineers and the technologies that they create, and they have learned so many new facts along the way!  

Our youngest Collaboratory Cubs are always surprised to learn that technology doesn't have to have batteries or wires or a fancy touchscreen and that technology can be anything that is designed to help people or solve problems!  Students explored some of the most underrated technologies that we use every day (pencils, cups, socks, etc.) and discussed how they helped people and how they have evolved and improved over time.

Our oldest Collaboratory Cubs got into some deeper conversations exploring ways that different technologies were combined and transformed into new technologies (flashlights, baby bottles, etc.).  All of the students love trying to compare technologies and decide which ones were created first and why.  They also learned about how the development of a new technology might solve one problem and also create another one that needs to be solved.  And, of course, we always discuss the quote about how "necessity is the mother of invention". 

After exploring different technologies, the Collaboratory Cubs rolled up their sleeves and tested out all different types of technologies.  In honor of International Dot Day (which is linked to the book The Dot which celebrates creativity and innovation), the students got to transform a dot-shaped technology (a bottle cap, lid, or button) and use the other technologies in the classroom makerspace to transform that dot into something completely new.  Students also had to be able to explain why each material they used was considered technology.  I was blown away by their incredibly creative ideas!  Take a peek:

 I can already tell that our Collaboratory Cubs are going to accomplish amazing things this year!