Category Archives: Full STEAM Ahead

#31: Make Water Glass Music

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

Musical glasses are a fun way to combine art, math, music and science.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #31: Make Water Glass Music

2. Gather the materials you need. Take a picture and add it to your recording page.

8 identical water glasses

water

a set of measuring cups

food coloring (optional)

1 plastic spoon

1 sheet of paper

Tape

pen/pencil

3. As you create this experiment. Take pictures of all of your steps.

Steps

  1. Use a measuring cup to fill each of the glasses with the correct amount of water. Use the image below as a guide.
  2. For fun, you can add a drop of food coloring to your glasses or two drops to make green, orange, or purple.

3.  Label your glasses.  Use the image below as a guide.

4. With a plastic spoon, gently tap each glass and listen for the sound it makes.

5. Notice which glass makes a lower sound and a higher sound.

6. Try playing these simple songs or create your own. Take a video of a song.

4.  The science of sound is all about vibrations. When you hit the glass with the spoon, the glass vibrates, and it’s these vibrations that ultimately make the sound. You discovered that tapping an empty glass produced a higher-pitched sound than tapping a bottle full of water did. Adding water to the bottle dampens the vibrations created by striking the glass with a spoon. The less water in the bottle, the faster the glass vibrates and the higher the pitch. The more water you add to the bottle, the slower the glass vibrates, creating a lower pitch.

5. On your recording page, write about what you learned from this mini spark.

6. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your video with your teacher/EY coordinator

Activity adapted from Musical Water Glasses at https://www.connectionsacademy.com/resources/instructographics/music-water-glasses and https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/pop-bottle-sounds/

 

 

 

#30: Make Slime

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Mini Challenges

 Slime is a fun way to study science. Check out this mini spark to learn about the science behind slime. Then check out the Slime Science badge to make your own slime.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #30: Make Slime

2. Watch this video about making slime.  Take notes on your recording sheet while you watch.

3. Using the information from the video, create a quiz for other kids to play. You can use kahoot or google slides. Include at least 10 questions and include the answers as well.

4. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your slime quiz with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Make slime using the Slime Science Badge at the EY Website.

#29: Bitsbox-Code an App

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

In this STEAM mini spark you will learn how to sign in to Bitsbox and how to code your own apps. You will learn about the text and stamp commands, as well as how to work with coordinates.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page:#29: Bitsbox-Code an App

2. Watch this intro video.  On your recording page, record 5 new things you learned about coding.

3. Bitsbox is an online resource. Click this link to get to bitsbox.

4.  Click the sign in with google button to get to your tablet.

5. Go back to the video from step 2 and code “snacks, please”.  You do not need to sign up with your email like he does in the video since you are already logged in with google.

6. After you finish the app, you can modify it with your own stamp, text, and colors.

7. Take a picture of your code and add it to your recording sheet

8. Click this link to get to a few free coding projects provided by Bitsbox. If you would like, you can print them out.

9. Code 3 of the projects. Take a screenshot of your code and add it to your recording page.

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

#28: Rocket Launcher

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities, Mini Challenges

National STEAM day is celebrated on November 8, but you can create STEAM all year long! Check out this rocket launcher experiment that you can do to celebrate the national day dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #28: Rocket Launcher

2. Watch this video. Write down the materials you will need on your recording page

3. Collect the materials you need. Contact the EY coordinator in your building via email if you need help with this step. Add a picture of of your supplies to your recording page.

4. Go back to step 2 and rewatch this video while you are working.

4. Take pictures from your experiment and add them to your recording page.

5. Take a video of your rocket launcher.

6. On your recording page, create a one paragraph summary about your project.

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

Check out the DIY superstar badge on the EY website

Post adapted from https://projectmc2.mgae.com/#/experiments

#27: Spider Silk

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

Spiders are master builders, and the webs built by these tiny creatures can be used as a source of inspiration                                      for scientists.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #27: Spider Silk

2. Read this article at Wonderopolis. Answer these questions on your recording sheet.

  • How strong is silk?
  • Where does silk come from?
  • What are some modern uses for spider silk?

3. Watch this video and record 5 new pieces of information on your recording page.

4. Now that you’ve discovered that spider silk is remarkably strong and has potential applications in body armor, explore other innovative concepts for utilizing spider silk. Do a 5 minute brainstorming session. What additional items could be created using spider silk? Perhaps climbing ropes for mountaineering? Or even nets for fishing? Challenge your imagination and consider other possible uses for this extraordinarily strong spider silk. Record all of your ideas on your recording page.

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

 

 

 

 

#26: STEAM Challenge: Straws

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges, Other Events & Contests

Dive in to this building challenge? Grab some straws and tape and get started! With just these two materials, you can create amazing structures.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #47: STEAM Challenge: Straws

2. Look over the STEAM challenge.

3. Make a sketch of what your structure will look like and any ideas that you have. Add a picture of your sketch to your recording page.

4. Gather the materials you will need. Ask an adult to help you if necessary.

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

6. Take a picture of you final project at add it to your recording sheet. Record the height of your project.

7. Explain your project, what you did well on this challenge and where you can improve.

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

24: Skyscraper Puzzles

Full STEAM Ahead, Uncategorized

For this mini spark you will create mini skyscrapers and complete the puzzles following the rules outlined.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM  mini spark recording page: #24: Skyscraper Puzzles 

2. Print out this set of starter puzzles and you will need a set of linking cubes or legos that you can use to build towers.

3. Read these instructions 3 times.

How to Solve a Skyscraper Puzzle:

● Build towers in each of the squares provided sized 1 through 4 tall
● Each row has skyscrapers of different heights (1 through 4), no
duplicate sizes
● Each column has skyscrapers of different heights (1 through 4), no
duplicate sizes
● The rules on the outside (in grey) tell you how many skyscrapers you
can see from that direction or how many skyscrapers you could see while looking down that city block from that spot.
● Taller skyscrapers block your view of shorter ones

4. Watch this teaching video for ideas on how to get started.

5.  Create 16 towers.

6. Solve the 4 X 4 puzzles in your booklet.

7.  When you are done with each puzzle you need to check it.  You can ask a teacher or a friend to do this for you.

1st-Look at each row and column and make sure there are only 1 of each size skyscrapers. 2nd-Look at the numbers in the gray boxes and make sure you can only see the number of skyscrapers when looking “down the street” from each gray box.

8. Make changes if needed and snap a picture of your final project.

9. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your completed puzzle pictures with your teacher/EY coordinator.

 

Check out the Skyscraper Puzzle Badge on the EY Website.

#25: An Eggstronaut Mission-Engineering Design Process Lesson

Full STEAM Ahead, Mini Challenges

How do engineers tackle challenges? They employ the engineering design process to develop the most effective solution. We will guide you through this process step-by-step as we get ready to launch our eggstronaut on an interplanetary journey.

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page:#25: An Eggstronaut Mission-Engineering Design Process Lesson

2. Print this engineering design process recording page  or create sections on your recording page for each of the topics on this handout.

3. Learn about the engineering process by watching this video, An Eggstronaut Mission. As the narrator explains each step, pause the video to fill out the form with the information or type each of the steps on your recording page. Hint: When she says the problem you are going to solve write it down, when she says the ways to research, write them down an so on.

4. Watch this video and record how making tacos for a party follows the Engineering Design Process. On your recording page explain the taco making process and how it follows the engineering design process. Use 3-5 sentences.

5. Share your STEAM mini spark recording page and your handout if you printed one with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Use this mini spark as task 2 for the Engineering Design Badge at the EY website.

#23: STEAM CHALLENGE: Roll-a-Challenge

Full STEAM Ahead, Learning Opportunities

By using the roll-a-challenge dice from Destination Imagination, you will be able to create more than 200 different Instant Challenge combinations. Just round up the supplies listed on the “Use” die, cut and glue or tape all three dice and you’re ready to get started!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #23: STEAM CHALLENGE: Roll-a-Challenge

2.  For this mini spark you will print and cut out 3 cubes that you will use to find your STEAM challenges. Record this information on your recording page.

  • The first cube you roll will be what you USE. You can use other items also, but you must use the item on the cube in your build.
  • the second cube you roll will be what you MAKE
  • the third cube you roll is THAT WILL-The object must serve this purpose.

3. Print your roll-a-challenge page on cardstock. Ask your teacher to help you with this step.

4. Cut out and create your cube. Press each of the creases really well so that your cube folds easily. Tape or glue your cubes.

5. Decide which of the main materials you have. If you need to replace an item with something else, you can mark that on your cube.

Materials: Plastic cups, plastic bags, paper plates, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, cardboard

6. Gather other recycled building materials.

Tape, glue, note cards, string, construction paper…and so on.

7. Roll your 1 cube, 2nd cube and 3rd cube. Record your challenge on your recording page or take a picture of the cubes and add the picture to your recording page.

8. On your recording page, sketch an idea of what you will make.

9. Take a picture of the items you will use and add it to your recording page.

10. Decide if you want to set a timer for 10 minutes (optional). Start your build. Take a few pictures of your progress.

11.  Take a picture of you final project at add it to your recording sheet. Write about what you did well on this challenge and where you can improve.

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

 

#22: Paint ‘n’ Play

Full STEAM Ahead, Other Events & Contests

 

1. Set up your STEAM mini spark recording page: #47: STEAM Challenge:#22: Paint ‘n’ Play

2.  Go to each link below and study the artist’s page. Record the title of the art wo, the artist’s name, and at least 3-5 details. Click on “Image Description” for more information about the art.

3. Go to Paint ‘n’ Play hosted by the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.  They recommend playing on a computer or tablet that is rotated to landscape mode.

4. Here you can create your own art. Each of the artists you studied above has a canvas where you can digitally paint, modeling their style, color pallet, and brush technique.

5. Explore each one for a few minutes. Click on the rooster on each of the pages and record the quote on your recording page.

6. Chose one artist. Practice creating your own piece in the same style.

7. Take a screenshot of you project and add it to your recording page. Give it a title.

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

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