Looking and Sounding Great!
I'm happy to report that I'm closing in on the end of my first four months with Think Tank Science (www.thinktankscience.org), and loving every minute of it. We have, what I feel, is a perfect combination of STEM and hands-on learning, with the kind of experiences I have always wanted for myself and my students.
The sixth, seventh and eight grade students in our program at one school recently are buzzing with excitement this week as they prepare to showcase their custom-built Bluetooth speaker projects. Over the past eight weeks, engagement was high, with hands-on activities fueling both curiosity and focus. From the early foundations of circuitry and woodworking to the final touches of finishing and audio testing, every session brought new opportunities for students to experiment, problem-solve, and connect science concepts to real-world applications.
Measure Once, Cut Twice
From measuring and cutting wood to wiring circuits and testing sound waves, students were deeply involved in each step of the engineering and design process. This active participation extended beyond the technical know-how. Students also are sharing presentations, advertisements, and even “shark tank” pitches this week, demonstrating communication, creativity, and teamwork throughout the project.
Sound Principles
The sixth, seventh and eight grade students in our program at one school recently are buzzing with excitement this week as they prepare to showcase their custom-built Bluetooth speaker projects. Over the past eight weeks, engagement was high, with hands-on activities fueling both curiosity and focus. From the early foundations of circuitry and woodworking to the final touches of finishing and audio testing, every session brought new opportunities for students to experiment, problem-solve, and connect science concepts to real-world applications.
Measure Once, Cut Twice
From measuring and cutting wood to wiring circuits and testing sound waves, students were deeply involved in each step of the engineering and design process. This active participation extended beyond the technical know-how. Students also are sharing presentations, advertisements, and even “shark tank” pitches this week, demonstrating communication, creativity, and teamwork throughout the project.
Sound Principles
The curriculum was intentionally designed to align with key science and math standards, such as understanding electric and magnetic forces, modeling wave behavior, working with ratios and measurements, and applying scientific principles to device design and troubleshooting. Student artifacts, group demonstrations, and independent presentations all reflect their mastery of these goals, providing clear, authentic evidence that standards and essential skills have been thoughtfully addressed.
Looking Ahead
As sharing day approaches, the I ask if it is the excitement for Halloween or their projects that is reverberating in the air (I hope the latter). The hands-on, standards-based nature of the unit not only fostered high engagement but gave every student a platform to shine. The excitement to present their projects is the strongest evidence that deep learning, and a lot of fun, happened in the Think Tank classroom this fall.
Comments
Post a Comment