In my most recent middle school STEAM class, we were working on bridge building. There were some absences, so it was a small class, but here they are showing off their final products, just before testing commenced. I actually took this photo for the homeschool yearbook, so it’s particularly unfortunate that not everyone was present, … More Middle School STEAM: Straw Bridges
Several classes ago, I introduced a Graham cracker protection unit to my middle school STEAM class. This initial activity was a Graham cracker drop – i.e., just like an egg drop, but 1000% less messy. After the first Graham cracker drop we had a class discussion about why some devices were more effective than others and … More Middle School STEAM: Technical Drawing
As part of our earthquake unit, I had my Earth science classes try to build “earthquake” resistant structures out of toothpicks and masking tape. Different groups had different substrates to build in – dry sand, wet sand, or dough – to model the effects of different types of ground on building stability during earthquakes. From … More Regents Earth Science: Engineering Challenge
One of my favorite units for elementary school students is Motion and Design by STC. I took quite a few photos during the last lesson of the unit when I taught it last spring. I particularly like how the photos illustrate the collaborative nature of the work that the students did. This represents a major … More Elementary Physical Science: Building Vehicles and Teamwork
I first came across the idea of paper furniture well over 10 years ago. It was during my first year of teaching, and my school was visited by a team that specialized in bringing architecture into schools. They taught a lesson using similar principles to the ones used in the lessons described below. Unfortunately, I … More Middle School STEAM: Paper Chair Challenge
I used this lesson as part as a middle school physical science class. The curriculum STC/MS Properties of Matter provided the main structure for the class. This particular lesson is not part of the curriculum; it’s an addition that I wrote because I felt that the density unit would benefit from the presence of a … More Middle School Physical Science: Culminating Activity for Density Unit
I initially developed this project about 10 years ago as a more practical alternative to the classic egg drop activity. As time has passed and I’ve tweaked it in a variety of ways, I’ve come to like it even more than the classic egg drop (and not just because of the easy clean up). Because … More Middle School STEAM: Graham Cracker Protection Unit
Ms. Mathisen's Science Class 