All posts by Jenny Henningsen

#61: STEAM Challenge: Hole Punch

Full STEAM Ahead

Check out this hole punch challenge.  To complete a puzzle, take a square of paper, fold it using as many folds as needed so that if you punch only ONE hole and unfold it, you will match one of the puzzles.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #61: STEAM Challenge: Hole Punch

2. For this STEAM challenge you will need 1 hole punch and 10-12 sheets of paper cut into squares. You can make your own or print this template.

3. Take a picture of your supplies before you start. Add the picture to your recording sheet.

4.  To complete a puzzle, take a square of paper, fold it using as many folds as needed so that if you punch only ONE hole and unfold it, you will match one of the puzzles. Your challenge is to create any THREE of the patterns seen here. Optional: Print this task card

5. Take a picture of your 3 final folds and at add it to your recording sheet.

6. Write about what you did well on this challenge and where you can improve.

7. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Check out the fold and punch badge on the EY website.

#109: Volume of a Triangular Prism

Math Mini Sparks, Uncategorized

A triangular prism is a three-dimensional geometric shape characterized by having two identical triangular faces at its ends, connected by three rectangular sides.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #109:Volume of a Triangular Prism

2. Make a sketch of these triangular prism examples on your recording page

  • Tents: Many camping tents have a triangular prism shape, with the top forming a triangle and the sides being rectangular.
  • Pyramids: Some structures, like certain types of pyramids, can resemble triangular prisms when viewed from the side, especially if they have a rectangular base.
  • Wedges: Tools like doorstops or some types of wedges are often designed in the shape of a triangular prism to provide stability and support.
  • Chocolate Bars: Some chocolate bars are shaped like triangular prisms, with two triangular ends and rectangular sides.

3. Record this formula on your recording page.

4.  Watch the teaching video and pause it to do the math on a piece of paper with the teacher. Add a picture of your notes to your recording page.

5. Do 3 practice problems at IXL. Record your work and your answers on your recording sheet. Add your score when you are done. (Sixth grade HH.5  Volume of triangular prisms 6ZL)

6. Share your math mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#31: Insect Adaptations

Science Mini Spark

How do insects use their special adaptations to survive? Insects are the most diverse animals, and even in tough environments like hot volcanoes, dry deserts, and icy glaciers, they show amazing adaptations to live in these challenging conditions.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #31: Insect Adaptations

2. Are there any places on Earth with no bugs? State “yes” or “no” and give two reasons for your choice.

3. Watch this video. Record 8-10 details about how insects are able to live in harsh conditions.

4.  Choose 3 of these questions to answer using 2 sentences. Use details from the video in your responses. Remind your teacher that the answer key can be found in the Science Mini Spark Folder.

  1. Describe how Sahara silver ants adapt to the heat of the desert.
  2. What unique feature helps Sahara silver ants maintain their speed and stay cool?
  3. Explain how the longhorn beetle’s hair structure assists it in hot environments.
  4. What specific adaptations do ice crawlers have to survive in cold temperatures?
  5. How do alkali flies manage to stay submerged in California’s Mono Lake?
  6. What challenges do alkali flies face when trying to overcome the water’s surface tension?
  7. Discuss how parasitic lice survive in deep-sea environments.
  8. What role do spiracles play in the oxygen intake of insects, and how do lice differ in this regard?
  9. How do certain lice manage to survive long periods underwater?

5.  Share your science mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#59: Wondering about Geography?

Learning Opportunities, Social Studies Enrichment

Are you curious about geography? Check out the Wonderopolis articles for Wonders all about the world around us. Check out the specific Wonders below that will get your brain thinking about all things geography!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your social studies mini spark recording page: #59 Wondering about Geography?

2. This mini spark has you explore Wonderopolis Wonders related to geography. Look over these choices and write down the three you would like to read.

3. Write down the title of the first article. Read the article. Record 3 facts from the article, 2 words that are new to your or unique, and 1 question you have.

4. Write down the title of the second article. Read the article. Record 3 facts from the article, 2 words that are new to your or unique, and 1 question you have.

5. Write down the title of the third article. Read the article. Record 3 facts from the article, 2 words that are new to your or unique, and 1 question you have.

6. There is much more to be learned after finishing the articles! Pick out your favorite wonder and do further research on the topic.  Find 5-8 more facts about the topic and add those to your recording page.

7. Share your social studies mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

 

 

 

 

#27: Explore Elements

Learning Opportunities, Science Mini Spark

The periodic table has been on quite the adventure for over 150 years, like a superhero collecting elements! Now, with 118 different elements, it’s like the ultimate science party where every element has its own dance move. Who knew chemistry could be this much fun?

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #15: Explore Elements

2. Watch this video and record at least 5 details from the video on your recording page.

3. TED Ed joined forces with the people at Periodic Videos to bring us the what-is-what on each element of the periodic table. Watch this video about hydrogen. Record 5-10 details about hydrogen on your recording page.

4. Choose a new element from this playlist. Watch the video, and on your recording page make a fact page about the element with at least 10 pieces of information.

5. Share your science mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

#25: How Do Lungs Work?

Science Mini Spark

Breathing. How do we accomplish this crucial and complex task without even thinking about it?  Let’s learn about these hard working organs.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your science mini spark recording page: #25: How Do Lungs Work?

2. Watch this TED-Ed lesson which takes us into the lungs to investigate how they help keep us alive. Record at least 5 details from the video on your recording sheet.

 

3. Your lungs make up one of the largest organs in your body, and they work with your respiratory system to allow you to take in fresh air, get rid of stale air, and even talk. Take a tour of the lungs by reading this article. Record 5 vocabulary words with definitions.

4. Choose one of these prompts and respond with 3-5 sentences

  • Why do you think the body’s cells need oxygen?
  • Why is it better that the lungs are spongy rather than empty like a balloon?
  • How do you think your breathing and lungs adapt when you’re exercising?

5. OPTIONAL: Lungs are important for breathing, but also for talking. Do research to find out how your lungs allow you to talk. Create a visual explaining how this process works. Include as many details as possible.

6. Share your science mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#100: Checkerboard Math

Math Mini Sparks

Count all of the squares on the checkerboard or a chessboard- This is a classic problem. You will look at how to solve it using drawings, using patterns, and solving a simpler problem. Also look at how how to solve a variation of this type of problem that may pop up on math contests.

Spark your math thinking!

1. Set up your math mini spark recording page: #100: Checkerboard Math

2. Print a  paper copy of a checkerboard.

3. The challenge for this mini spark is to count ALL of the squares on the checkerboard. Start watching this video, pause to copy the chart he creates and STOP at 2:40. Record the answers to these 3 questions.

How many squares on an 8 X 8 board?

How many squares on an 1 X 1 board?

How many squares on a 2 X 2  board?

 

4. Figure out the next answers using your chart and the copy of the board you printed. Without watching the rest of the video try to find the answers for each of the following questions.

How many squares on a 4 X 4 board?

How many squares on a 5 X 5 board?

How many squares on a 6 X 6 board?

How many squares on a 7 X 7 board?

5. When you have a solution click  to watch the rest of the video to see if you have recorded the correct numbers.

6. Solve this second problem written by CEMC math. Print this board if you want a new copy to help you. Record all of your work and your answers on your mini spark recording sheet.

Bart and Lisa counted all squares on a checkerboard.   On the same checkerboard, they decided to count the number of small rectangles-1 unit by 2 units  or 2 units by 1 unit. 

They were careful to count all of the overlapping rectangles. If they counted correctly, what was their total? Look at this picture before you start. 

***Reminder for your teacher that the solution can be found in the math mini spark folder.

7.  Share your math mini spark recording page and boards with your teacher/EY coordinator.

You can use step #6 as one of your problems for the Problem of the Week CEMC Math badge that can be found on the EY badge page.

 

 

#4 Brain Break: Bubble Bounce

SEL Mini Sparks

Exercise your focusing skills and put them to practice during your school day.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your SEL mini spark recording page: #4 Brain Break: Bubble Bounce  

2.  Watch this video. When you are done write, ” I did the Brain Break: Bubble Bounce” on your recording page.

3.  Why would this type brain breaks be helpful for elementary students?

4. Write the steps explaining how to do this type of brain break. The audience is a a group of teachers who want to try a new brain break in the classroom.

5.  Share your SEL mini spark recording page with your teacher or the EY coordinator in your building.

#34: Animal Robots

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized,

While the word “robot” can conjure up an image of a cyborg human with lights for eyes and super powers, animal-inspired robots are accomplishing tasks in all kinds of medical, military and rescue work. These anibots perform tasks that would be difficult and often dangerous for mere mortals, or even human droids, to accomplish

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #34: Animal Robots

2.   Pneupard is a robot that is designed to be agile and fast like cheetahs and other cats. Pneupard has artificial muscles made from rubber tubing that are covered in nylon and filled with air. The pneumatic muscles have lifelike skills that allow the bot to replicate the range of motion and strength of a real cat!

3. On your recording sheet define Pneupard.

4. Watch this video about Pneupard. Record 5 details from the video on your recording page.

5. Answer the following questions.

  • How are these engineers using robots to learn about nature?
  • Why are cheetah’s ultra complex to recreate?
  • What did the engineers learn when the were in the park
  • What animal would you choose to recreate as a robot? What part or parts of this animal would be ultra complex to recreate?

6. One modern robot flier is called ornithopter. Ornithopter looks and flies much like a real bird. One sweet little ornithopter is used as a nano-spybot, equipped with a tiny camera.

7. On your recording sheet define ornithopter.

8. Watch this video about Ornithopter and write a summary of the video on your recording page.

9. On your recording page, answer these questions.

  • What materials are used to make this robot?
  • What other material come to mind that might work?
  • Have you ever seen a servo motor? If not where else might it be used? If you have seen one, what was its purpose?
  • What is visually interesting to you about this robot? What woud you change?

10. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page with your teacher/EY coordinator.

#39: It’s All About the Heart

Reading Enrichment

For many years, the heart was a mystery.  What did it do?  What was it there for?  Let’s learn all about this muscle.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your language arts mini spark recording page: #39: It’s All About the Heart

2. This TED-Ed lesson will help you investigate how the heart keeps you alive. Record 5 details from the video on your recording page.

3. Years ago, people thought emotions came from the heart!  Read this article to find out more about how the heart works. Record 3-5 facts that you did not already know.

4. Choose one of these prompts and respond with 3-5 sentences.

  • What are some ways to keep your heart healthy?
  • What are the four chambers of the heart called, and what does each chamber do?
  • Why was it so difficult for scientists and doctors to figure out what the heart was for?

5. Share your language arts mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.