Weekend STEM Project

Alexa is a 5th grade student who enjoys being creative. On Sunday, April 26, 2015, she was inspired to build a parlor for several of her “Littlest Pets” using wood scraps saved from her Gramma’s woodworking projects. Alexa used the following supplies:

  • wood scraps of all different sizes and types
  • wood glue
  • clamps
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • markers
  • scroll saw (with supervision)

Alexa started by gluing together a platform. She built a small wall for the sides and back before creating and designing her store front. As she grabbed pieces of scraps, you could see the wheels turning in her head. As her Gramma, I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and teach Alexa how to use a scroll saw. She became even more excited because now she could be a little more precise about the pieces she wanted to use. She glued, clamped, and sawed wood until her design finally took shape to what she had painted in her mind. While the main store was drying, Alexa created a road sign for her store and a crib for her smaller “Pets”. She was so proud of her creation and so was I. Her design is far better than what you can buy already built in the stores. 🙂

I asked Alexa if you she could tell me what the SCIENCE was in her project and she said it was in the structure. TECHNOLOGY was using the scroll saw, ENGINEERING was her putting it all together, and MATH came in to play when she measured and marked pieces of wood that needed cut. Click the images to see the detail in a larger view.  Way to go Alexa!  High Five!

Design a Coin

VCEC Conference – February 28th and March 1st, 2013
STEM Session – How Engineering Fits Into ALL Subject Areas

Design Challenge: Examine coins front and back. Pick a Famous American and design a new coin around that person.

Those Darn Squirrels!

VCEC Conference – February 28th and March 1st, 2013
STEM Session – Pulling It Together

Design Challenge:  Work with your group to design a machine that will get the squirrels to the bird feeders.

Those Darn Squirrels
Those Darn Squirrels! by Adam Rubin
Design Engineers: Sylvia and Alana
Your machine must use at least one simple machine. Use only the materials given to you.