STEAMagic Boxes – Educational Resources Created by Students
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All the students from our school and kindergarten (aged 3-14 years) are involved in our specific Hands-on Science Program.
Kindergarten children are amazing scientists. They observe and explore with an open mind, curiosity and great enthusiasm. Often these wonderful scientists draw conclusions so scientifically accurate that they leave you speechless. They use simple words, according to their young age, but the statements show a clear mind and common sense. A strong connection to the natural environment.
In primary school our little scientists gather knowledge and upgrade their competencies at a superior level. They carry out investigations based on specific methods, gather and analyse data, and apply their knowledge to everyday situations. They become problem solvers and develop essential skills such as: communication, teamwork and use of digital tools. Teachers at our school support their interest in STEM through a great variety of STEM projects. Activities are integrated, interdisciplinary and adapted to students’ curricula, age, background and interests. Also, teachers value their students’ artistic and emotional side adding an A to STEM: STEAM. We all know how important emotional intelligence is and the strong connections we can build through the arts between different disciplines: physics, mathematics, engineering, technology, personal development, history, culture and civilisation.
In secondary school students’ interest in STEM subjects gradually declines. Students become reluctant to put effort into studying maths, physics or chemistry. There are many explanations for this. The volume of theoretical information is getting bigger and bigger and the mathematical language supporting the theory is becoming more and more complex. Moreover, secondary school teachers often do not teach the subject by connecting knowledge of one discipline to another. Students do not discover the meaning of this knowledge nor the practical applications. But STEM competencies are essential nowadays and teachers are challenged to find as many ways as possible to keep our students on track. How? Teachers from our school collaborate and continue to involve their students in STEAM projects. In order to celebrate our students’ commitment, hard work and great results, we organise a STEAM Festival/Science Days. We also participate in events such as the STEM Discovery Campaign or Mission X. Train Like an Astronaut is also helpful.
What about STEAMagic Boxes? What are these MAGIC items?
Based on their previous hands-on science experience, students were challenged to create their own STEAM educational resources around a topic they were passionate about. A STEAMagic Box contains not only the materials needed for a set of experiments but also presentations, fact files, cards for educational games, worksheets and links to online games or tests. And that is not all. Each box is unique in its own way because, in addition to the materials, it includes the work and passion of its creators, a testament to teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm for a job well done. Examples of STEAMagic Boxes: Science in a Fairytale, Electric Circuits, Electrostatics, Magnetic Games, Playing with Light, Magic Potions, Bioplastic, Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes and Seismographs, Respiration, Dairy Products, Bacteria and Fermentation, and Natural Cosmetics and Hygiene Products.
A team of teachers (from different disciplines) collaborated and coordinated their efforts as mentors.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these Magic Boxes:
Science in a Fairytale – Aesop’ Fables. It all starts from two well-known fables: The Crow and the Pitcher and The Dove and the Ant. In the Magic Box, 3rd graders collect all the necessary items to carry out simple water experiments related to these short texts. Later, their colleagues from the 6th grade will evaluate their new knowledge about Sink or Float & Archimedes’ Law and upgrade the box for secondary school level. Of course, 6th graders add worksheets, an online game (Kahoot) and an online test (Wordwall).
Electric Circuit. The 4th graders’ introduction to electricity was smooth and exciting. They make a card with a simple electrical circuit made with copper ribbon, a battery and a LED. Without any teacher intervention, they practised series and parallel connections and learned how to use a multimeter. The next step was electrical circuits on a breadboard. Their colleagues from the 7th grade completed the Magic Box with information about electronic components, with online games/tests about electricity.
Natural Cosmetics and Hygiene Products. We started making soap and candles using only natural ingredients with the 6th graders. A Magic Box indeed, with instructions, a list of ingredients, links to trustworthy suppliers, recipes, basic materials. At least two chapters of physics and chemistry are approached in a friendly manner: states of matter, transformations, heat and temperature, mixtures and solutions, density and concentration, etc. The 7th graders decide to develop a “business” and make different kinds of soap (for the kindergarten colleagues), toothpaste, hand cream, soap detergent, disinfectant for surfaces and window cleaner. They also learn how to manage a budget, order ingredients and work safely in the lab.
Science in a Fairytale- Playing with Light. Can we look in a mirror and see someone else or something else? The starting point was the magic mirror of the evil queen (Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs), but 3rd graders create new activities with mirrors, flashlights and laser pointers. 6th graders take the idea to the next level by exploring the reflection and refraction of light, the propagation of light through different types of materials (transparent, opaque or translucent). The 2nd graders explore shadows (formation, shape, size and colour) based on another story: Gruffalo’s Child and the Little Mouse. The Magic Box contains mirrors, lasers, flashlights, coloured filters, pieces of different materials, puppets, small objects from various materials (investigation of transparency), and worksheets. As usual, older students add Kahoot and Wordwall games, presentations and tests.
STEAM boxes are truly MAGIC as they connect students and teachers in an original and effective way, ensuring the development of much-needed STEAM skills for the future. So make magic with a STEAMagic Box!
Balint Mihaela Elena has been coordinating the Discovery Kids School specific Hands-on Science Program for 17 years. She carries out STEAM activities adapted for students from 3 to 14 years old. The activities are adapted to the age and interests of the children and are connected to the national curricula. More importantly, through all her activities, she is building a support network for all local teachers interested in STEAM education.
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