Fifth Grade in the Lab

Students record data with Vernier sensors and Logger Lite software.

Fifth grade is in the Lab this week, working on their very first Learning Engagement! I am so impressed with the creativity and critical thinking taking place in the Stuart Mesa SmartLab. Here are the projects that students are working on: 

LEGO WeDo
Learners use LEGOs to build a robot, then program their robot using code. This is one of the more visually exciting projects in the lab, and is always a favorite among the students. I was especially impressed with two students who were problem solving ways to modify their robot, and create an original design.
(Check out the two LEGO WeDo robots created in the lab today in the videos below).

Snap Circuits
Learners working on this project are tasked with completing a circuit to make something happen - a light bulb illuminate, a fan fly into the air, or an alarm sound. Students are encouraged to problem solve and communicate with their partner when their circuit does not work.

Vernier Sensors
The sensors available to fifth grade students include the Temperature sensor, Motion Sensor, and Force Sensor. Learners today tackled the "Best Cup Design Challenge," where they were tasked with creating an insulated cup to keep water warm. They used the Temperature sensor to record their data.

K'Nex
The focus with K'Nex is building simple machines. Many learners are creating levers, pulleys, or wheels/axles. 

Code.org
Coding has become such a popular (and important) activity for students! Learners work on the website code.org, where they have their own account that keeps track of their levels of code completed.

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