Panthers pulled off another week of problem solving, collaborating, communicating, and all-around awesomeness in STEM lab! This week the lab hosted: Ms. Hernandez's Kinder, Ms. Martinez's 1st grade, Ms. James 2nd grade, Ms. Mallona's 3rd grade, and Ms. Aguilera's 4th grade.
5th graders are away at camp having incredible adventures with our fantastic HISD Outdoor Education Centers' department. We can't wait for them to share all they have learned!
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wk3STEMlab from Kimberly Boyce-Quentin on Vimeo.
Kinder started the week off right, by heading out at recess for their 1st day as campus Green Heroes! Interestingly, Kinder was the first grade to start their campus-wide Eco-School campaign and the first to take on their Leader In Me campus Leadership role! Kinder shows the way again! Go, Kinder Cubs!
First grade got through an enormous amount of puzzles and challenges in a shortened week! They really took to using the Code.org Navigators/ Drivers model for pair programming and collaboration. I was so excited to see how proactive these leaders are - every day they came straight in and got immediately to work. They modeled win-win and great synergy behavior at every task!
Second grade started their Eco-Schools Green Hero campaign and Leader In Me campus-wide Leadership role by managing the recycling! They found it was a big job, but they already have lots of plans and projects to make it all run more smoothly in the future! Ms. James' class picked up PK-1st on Tuesday and Ms. Keahey's class collected 2nd-5th grades on Thursday. They created posters and informational labels from reused and recycled materials!
Third grade was introduced to their new code.org course. They found it challenging, but made a lot of progress! They were also introduced to the MakerSpace and were able to get in touch with their inner mad scientist/ creative genius!
Fourth graders also had a big week! They started their Leader In Me campus jobs. Every 4th and 5th grader works at a different location on campus - the library, the nurse's clinic, the main office, and as personal assistant to primary grade teachers. They go to "work" every week, and have made a great first impression on their "bosses" so far! They are excited about their jobs and are having a very positive impact in the classes and offices where they are working!
Friday, September 9, 2016
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Second Week Success Stories
It was another amazing week of STEM lab achievements! This week I was visited by: Ms. Kinder, Ms. 1st grade, Ms. 2nd grade, Ms. 3rd grade, Ms. 4th and Ms. 5th grade. They had big shoes to fill after last week's excellent, but they did it!
This week the lab hosted: Ms. Colmenero's Kinder, Ms. Thormodsgaard's 1st grade, Ms.Massey's 2nd grade, Ms. Noell's 3rd grade, Ms. Lee's 4th grade, and Ms. Purvey's 5th grade.
stemwk2 from Kimberly Boyce-Quentin on Vimeo.
Kinder learned how to use the mouse and mastered "click and drag" in Code.org. This was also ms. Colmenero's week to take on their Kinder Leader In Me campus leadership job of Eco-School Clean-Up Crew. Her Panther Cubs did an awesome job donating their recess to pick-up litter and make Piney Point a cleaner and greener school!
1st grade students worked vocabulary, learning to log in to the computers, and on collaboration using our "Navigators and Drivers" protocol. 2nd grade had 5 students graduate from Code.org Course 1 and move to Course 2!
2nd graders' Leader in Me Campus Leadership role as the Eco-School Recycling Team kicks off next week and they spent time in the MakerSpace creating the reused material tree and leaf tracking system the classes will use to keep track of their recycling success.
The upper elementary classes started their week setting and recording class and personal goals in a Google form. They are learning to use the Google tools to facilitate collaboration and sharing on their long-term research and team projects.
3rd grade started working on code.org Course 2 and were introduced to the projects they'll be creating for Mini Reading fair with Scratch and Makey Makeys.
4th and 5th grade met their Leader In Me campus leadership job employers! 4th grade starts work next week; 5th grade begins after their return from camp. However, I am lucky enough to have my leaders Adriana and Ezekiel back at work for me! Mr. Huerta is so happy to have his team back in the TV studio and ready to train some 3rd graders to take over!
4th grade almost succeeded in their first BreakoutEDU challenge, but were thwarted by one puzzle! They loved the challenge and have promised revenge next time! 5th grade broke out with 15 minutes to spare! They elected to spend their free time every day in the MakerSpace. They've definitely got the building bug; they whipped through the extender arm design challenge and got creative with their hand models!
Next week will be short on time, but I am betting it will be long on creativity, engagement, and problem solving!
This week the lab hosted: Ms. Colmenero's Kinder, Ms. Thormodsgaard's 1st grade, Ms.Massey's 2nd grade, Ms. Noell's 3rd grade, Ms. Lee's 4th grade, and Ms. Purvey's 5th grade.
stemwk2 from Kimberly Boyce-Quentin on Vimeo.
Kinder learned how to use the mouse and mastered "click and drag" in Code.org. This was also ms. Colmenero's week to take on their Kinder Leader In Me campus leadership job of Eco-School Clean-Up Crew. Her Panther Cubs did an awesome job donating their recess to pick-up litter and make Piney Point a cleaner and greener school!
1st grade students worked vocabulary, learning to log in to the computers, and on collaboration using our "Navigators and Drivers" protocol. 2nd grade had 5 students graduate from Code.org Course 1 and move to Course 2!
2nd graders' Leader in Me Campus Leadership role as the Eco-School Recycling Team kicks off next week and they spent time in the MakerSpace creating the reused material tree and leaf tracking system the classes will use to keep track of their recycling success.
The upper elementary classes started their week setting and recording class and personal goals in a Google form. They are learning to use the Google tools to facilitate collaboration and sharing on their long-term research and team projects.
3rd grade started working on code.org Course 2 and were introduced to the projects they'll be creating for Mini Reading fair with Scratch and Makey Makeys.
4th and 5th grade met their Leader In Me campus leadership job employers! 4th grade starts work next week; 5th grade begins after their return from camp. However, I am lucky enough to have my leaders Adriana and Ezekiel back at work for me! Mr. Huerta is so happy to have his team back in the TV studio and ready to train some 3rd graders to take over!
4th grade almost succeeded in their first BreakoutEDU challenge, but were thwarted by one puzzle! They loved the challenge and have promised revenge next time! 5th grade broke out with 15 minutes to spare! They elected to spend their free time every day in the MakerSpace. They've definitely got the building bug; they whipped through the extender arm design challenge and got creative with their hand models!
Next week will be short on time, but I am betting it will be long on creativity, engagement, and problem solving!
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Fantastic First Week!
Panther Proud of the wonderful work in the STEM lab this first week back at school! This week the lab hosted: Ms. Bell's Kinder Cubs, Ms. DiPersio's 1st grade, Mr. Arzola's 2nd grade, Ms. Bailey's 3rd grade, Ms. Giron's 4th grade, and Ms. Lavergne's 5th grade.
stemwk1 from Kimberly Boyce-Quentin on Vimeo.
Kinder is learning basic computer vocabulary, how to log in to the computers, and being introduced to code.org. Parents will receive student account information on Friday so that students may work at home if they choose.
First grade is also reviewing vocabulary and continuing with the coding course they began in Kinder. They are also learning how to sign in to the computers and getting their first taste of the mini MakerSpace!
Second grade is wrapping up Code.org course 1. They are also learning about the use of simple machines in the Marble Run/ Chain Reaction station and solving Fairy Tale design problems such as devising the ultimate wolf-proofed house!
3rd grade is starting work on Code.org Course 2. Their Course 1 work was an excellent preparation as proved by how rapidly they are working through the lessons! They are beginning their simple machines and design explorations with LEGO Dacta sets and assisting Folk Tale characters like John Henry solve their engineering problems.
4th and 5th grade learned all about their Leader In Me campus jobs this week! They are eager to me their bosses next week and get to work! In the lab they completed their first Breakout experience with complete success, built a grabber arm, and got to work on Code.org Course 3!
I am so pleased and proud of our students for making such a strong start! This is clearly going to be a GREAT year!
stemwk1 from Kimberly Boyce-Quentin on Vimeo.
Kinder is learning basic computer vocabulary, how to log in to the computers, and being introduced to code.org. Parents will receive student account information on Friday so that students may work at home if they choose.
First grade is also reviewing vocabulary and continuing with the coding course they began in Kinder. They are also learning how to sign in to the computers and getting their first taste of the mini MakerSpace!
Second grade is wrapping up Code.org course 1. They are also learning about the use of simple machines in the Marble Run/ Chain Reaction station and solving Fairy Tale design problems such as devising the ultimate wolf-proofed house!
3rd grade is starting work on Code.org Course 2. Their Course 1 work was an excellent preparation as proved by how rapidly they are working through the lessons! They are beginning their simple machines and design explorations with LEGO Dacta sets and assisting Folk Tale characters like John Henry solve their engineering problems.
4th and 5th grade learned all about their Leader In Me campus jobs this week! They are eager to me their bosses next week and get to work! In the lab they completed their first Breakout experience with complete success, built a grabber arm, and got to work on Code.org Course 3!
I am so pleased and proud of our students for making such a strong start! This is clearly going to be a GREAT year!
Sunday, July 3, 2016
2016-17 STEM Lab Sneak-Peek!
Greetings Panthers and Panther Parents!
I am so excited about the incredible new materials and resources for this year! We will continue to use the Code.org courses and Scratch as our foundation, but I am very pleased to announce that Piney Point has been selected by HISD to take part in a new partnership with Tynker. This will be a tremendous boost to our programming curriculum!
Computer Science is becoming a required subject all across the United States and the world. Several studies have shown that introducing the basic concepts and an understanding of the principles of programming has tremendous benefits for elementary age children. It promotes logic and trains the mind to think analytically, it requires that you revise, edit, and pay careful attention to details, and most of all it teaches persistence!
The programs we use allow a great deal of creative expression and tap into the natural human need to explore and invent. They also allow students to learn at their own pace and encourage collaboration and communication.
Students will be thrilled to apply their coding prowess to the physical world with a wide variety of robots. We have LEGO EV-3, WeDo STEM, Bee Bots, Pro Bots, and brand-new this year - Ozobots. Each of these highly engaging devices creates the perfect mix of programming skills, code language, robotic behavior, deductive reasoning and interactive play!
5th grade students completing the core coursework will be introduced to Tinkercad - a student friendly introduction to 2 and 3-D design. Students successfully mastering this tool will have access to our new 3-D printer.
But the STEM Lab isn't all coding! Students will work collaboratively to solve literature-based engineering challenges, construct Rube Goldberg machines and Great Ball Contraptions, and sharpen their teamwork and problem solving skills with Breakout EDU boxes!
It is going to be an amazing year!
I am so excited about the incredible new materials and resources for this year! We will continue to use the Code.org courses and Scratch as our foundation, but I am very pleased to announce that Piney Point has been selected by HISD to take part in a new partnership with Tynker. This will be a tremendous boost to our programming curriculum!
Computer Science is becoming a required subject all across the United States and the world. Several studies have shown that introducing the basic concepts and an understanding of the principles of programming has tremendous benefits for elementary age children. It promotes logic and trains the mind to think analytically, it requires that you revise, edit, and pay careful attention to details, and most of all it teaches persistence!
The programs we use allow a great deal of creative expression and tap into the natural human need to explore and invent. They also allow students to learn at their own pace and encourage collaboration and communication.
Students will be thrilled to apply their coding prowess to the physical world with a wide variety of robots. We have LEGO EV-3, WeDo STEM, Bee Bots, Pro Bots, and brand-new this year - Ozobots. Each of these highly engaging devices creates the perfect mix of programming skills, code language, robotic behavior, deductive reasoning and interactive play!
5th grade students completing the core coursework will be introduced to Tinkercad - a student friendly introduction to 2 and 3-D design. Students successfully mastering this tool will have access to our new 3-D printer.
But the STEM Lab isn't all coding! Students will work collaboratively to solve literature-based engineering challenges, construct Rube Goldberg machines and Great Ball Contraptions, and sharpen their teamwork and problem solving skills with Breakout EDU boxes!
It is going to be an amazing year!
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