Engineering Week @ Hamilton Elementary

Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski conducted STEM-based lessons withK-5 students during Engineering Week @ Hamilton Elementary.

Every grade level lesson incorporated the Engineering Design Process.

Sound Engineers: Fourth Graders designed and constructed musical instruments using readily available & recyclable materials.

Prior to designing sound-making instruments, students analyzed musical instruments.

Mechanical Engineers: Fifth Grade students were introduced to reverse engineering concepts via toys. Students discussed how the toy worked, counted the parts, described the materials, drew a sketch of the toy. They then proceeded to take the toy apart using screwdrivers, etc. If possible, the toys were put back together.

All grade levels (K-5) were asked to journal during their engineering lesson. Notes from mechanical engineering/ reverse engineering lesson.

At $1.00 a piece, Dollar Tree® Solar Dancers are a great gadget to introduce reverse engineering.

Reverse engineering journaling. Lady Bug toy from Oriental Trading®

Civil Engineers: Grades K and 1 were introduced to force, motion, and energy concepts as they designed, built, and tested ramps. They used corner molding, foam insulation tubing, swim noodles, toy car tracks, PVC tubes, tape, and marbles. Ms. Tiffany the Robotics Lab Teacher assisted Dr. Diana throughout all lessons.

Students were introduced to measuring tools (tape measure and level). They were asked to measure the length of their ramps, and use the levels while building.

K and 1st Graders were asked to draw a sketch of their ramps in their journals.

Habitat Engineers: 2nd Grade students observed live pill bugs and earthworms. They were then asked to design, build, and maintain a mini ecosystem/habitat for a pill bug and earthworm using readily available and recyclable materials.

Prior to designing and building the habitats/ mini ecosystems. Students observed and analyzed the pill bug and earthworm using eye loupes.

The habitat materials table (pill bugs, earthworms, pebbles, soil, leaves, lettuce, bird seed, water mister, netting, and rubber bands.

Materials Scientists: 3rd Grade students were asked to design and create a mini igloo/cooler that would prevent a penguin shaped ice cube from melting.

Prior to designing their mini igloos students were given a variety of materials to observe, compare and contrast on their abilities to insulate.

Student using a digital microscope to observe the materials that make up their igloo up close.

Igloos were placed under a lamp for one hour. Instructors removed tops of igloos and observed how much of the ice cube remained, and massed the cube too. Lesson should be 2 days in length to have students collect data within a day or class period.

Almost an entire ice cube left after one hour. Ice cube was surrounded by feathers inside the cup. Exterior of cup was covered with one layer of aluminum foil.

Students were asked to sketch and label the components of their igloos, and place a sample of each of the two materials they chose as insulators in their journals.

STEM Family Night

Hamilton Elementary also hosted a STEM Family Night during Engineering Week. Dr. Diana Wehrell-Grabowski conducted three different STEM-themed lessons.

Civil Engineers: Designing, building, and testing ramps.

Architectural Engineers: Connecting Geometry, Architecture, and Chemistry content.

Aeronautical Engineers