Update:  Operation Ceiling Tiles

Operation Ceiling Tiles is almost complete!  The students have been working so hard on these projects!  They have learned all about important places in our Tabernacle community, and they reviewed various images of each special place in order to help them brainstorm ideas of what to include on their tiles.  The students were dedicated to doing their very best and to tackling and overcoming any obstacles that came their way, such as how delicate the tile bases were.  They successfully collaborated and conquered the challenge!  They did an amazing job, and their pride in their work radiated through their smiles and their kind words to one another!

The students' reactions to seeing their tiles officially up on the ceiling for the first time were incredible!  I wish I had caught it on video!  The students love that they were able to contribute to and leave their mark on the Collaboratory as its very first class of its opening year.  I am so honored to be on this Collaboratory adventure alongside them!

Let's Explore the Extraordinaires

Today, another round of students had the opportunity to explore the Engineering Design Process through the Design Studio Extraordinaires program!

Mrs. Kimble's class had to create a water vehicle for the Pirate character.

Mrs. Janicki and Mrs. Hare's class had to create a cleaning item for the Superhero character.

  

Ms. Haynes' class had to create a headpiece for the Fairy character.

Mr. Worrell's class had to create a cooking item for the Robot character.

The Grand Reveal Video

For the Back to School Nights last week, we filmed a video tour of the TES Collaboratory to share with the families so that they could learn more about our learning studio.  I am sharing the video here on my blog, too!  I hope you enjoy it!

Extraordinary Designers

Over the past week, our TES designers have been working hard to add some personal touches to our Collaboratory.  Each class was challenged to create a design to represent a special place in Tabernacle.  Then, I told the students that they would use that design to decorate one of the ceiling tiles in our learning studio.  I will never forget the looks on the students' faces when I told them they were going to get to draw on the ceiling!  They put their hearts and souls into the tiles, and I am so excited to share the finished products with you! One thing that I didn't tell the students during the project was that they were using the steps of the Engineering Design Process, and they didn't even realize it!

This week, the students will be formally introduced to the steps of the Engineering Design Process, which are Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Improve.  I explained to the students that, believe it or not, they had already used these steps during the ceiling tile project, and now they were going to explore each step on a deeper level by tackling some challenges presented in the Design Studio Extraordinaires program.  In this program, students learn about a variety of characters and then select a task card which challenges them to design and create something that will help that character in some way.  I love how the Extraordinaires program helps students become comfortable with the steps of the Engineering Design Process while also focusing on empathy.  

Kindergarteners were the first TES designers to try our the Extraordinaires program!  Check out the challenge that each class tackled:

Mrs. Valleau's class had to create somewhere to sit for the Giant character.

Mrs. Padilla's class had to create a plaything for the Pirate character.

Mrs. Colella's class had to create a flying vehicle for the Giant character.

Mrs. Gerst and Ms. Connelly's class had to create a remote control for the Astronaut character.

I am really looking forward to the rest of the week!