2019-20 STEAM Lab week 15

Two days of testing, our 6^th annual Hour of Code event, and then back to the STEAM Lab! Thursday and Friday didn’t give us much time, but students dove right in and started creating.

It is very important to me that we identify the unique needs of each of our 1200+ students at Piney Point so we can make sure they receive the appropriate supports, but I am glad to be done with the G/T screening for this year!

Kinder and 1^st enjoyed a “snow day” and a Free Build day. They learned about the water cycle and snowflakes, then created their own blizzard with coffee filters and scissors.

2^nd – 5^th all learned about the unique properties of snowflakes with BrainPOP and Wonderopolis, but then went in different directions for the products. 2^nd & 4^th created personal wintry variations to the Scratch “Catch Game” and then made Makey Makey controllers to play their games. 2nd grade also filmed clips from the Underwater Circus project with Ringmasters Rachel Carson, Sylvia Earle, Jacques Cousteau, and Eugenie Clark.

3^rd grade went with musical snowflakes! They started with a game in mind, but then had their interactive snowflakes make sounds instead.

5^th grade created digital instruments that they played with Makey Makey boards. 

Both 3^rd and 5^th opted for a Free Build Friday featuring K’Nex and LEGO.

Wednesday we had our annual (6 hours of) Hour of Code! It was a smashing success thanks to the efforts of the whole ancillary team and Ms. Belmarez, but especially due to Mr. Contreras! Every year he collects the 60+ devices, chargers, and peripherals needed, tests them all and sets everything up in the gym and library as well as checking that everything is operational in both labs.

Next week will be a short one again, but I am sure that we will fill our 3 days with awesome learning adventures and creativity!