During the month of September, I had the pleasure of meeting all my students and introducing some of the new STEAM material to them…

Students also participated in a STEAM Design Challenge “My Most Magnificent Thing”.  Students listened to the book The Most  Magnificent  Thing by Ashley Spires.. the events in the book related to The Engineering and Design Process and inspirational for students to build their own magnificent thing.   Students  explored the materials that are available to them  such as rolled up newspaper rods, recyclable items (toilet paper rolls, milk  jug caps, parts from broken toys, etc.) They also used some tools such as scissors, tape, glue, staplers, etc.

Students brainstormed as a whole group,  in small groups,  or individually, the kinds of things they might create. They sketched and labeled a plan on the recording sheet, as well as listing or drawing materials needed. Then they created! Students went through trials and errors as they built their magnificent things, but it was all part of the learning process.

Students recorded the final product by drawing/labeling once the  “things” were finished. They reviewed their original plans and decided whether it worked or not. Finally, they shared their “things” with each other.   I’ve displayed the magnificent things with the planning sheets on the bulletin board outside the classroom.