This month at Brit Magyar, Grade 5 are exploring the topic of outer space. We have been investigating how we explore the outer reaches of our galaxy, how mankind gets equipment like satellites up into the stratosphere and humans onto the moon, and therefore we have been thinking a lot about the problem of gravity and how this affects rockets. How can we escape Earth’s gravity and get out into space? How much power and thrust would it take, and what fuels could we use? One STEAM project has involved students designing their own propulsion system to send a cotton wool ball as far as they possibly could. They were shown a basic cardboard canon design as a starting point, that uses an elastic band firing system. Students then set about designing their own model before constructing a prototype using a range of different materials. This prototype was tested before modifying it with improvements in design, different materials or new dimensions, and the models rebuilt and retested. The students used readily available materials such as cardboard rolls and boxes, string, bulldog clips, paper clips, elastic bands and sellotape. This hands-on, collaborative, and creative approach to problem solving is appealing to students. Different groups created small single toilet roll and single elastic band models, all the way up to a giant one metre long, corrugated card bazooka-style canon with many elastic bands, which needed at least two students to hold and operate. At different stages in the project, students are encouraged to talk out loud in front of the rest of the class, about the design process and how different problems were solved, not only to share their experiences and learn from the many different approaches, but also to build up confidence in their use of conversational English.
STEAM is an integrated approach to tackling problems that brings together the different subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths, to carry out project work, which more realistically reflects the real world. Car design, for example, involves experts in many disciplines from the fields of design, material science, engineering, and using a range of technologies to be able to develop and construct prototype models in a series of many steps, before a final new car model is ever ready for manufacturing. STEAM offers students the opportunity of looking at topics in a similar multidisciplinary, holistic approach rather than in the more traditional school system of studying in separate subject areas. STEAM is also a great arena for encouraging students to explore various aspects of technology, to drive problem solving, often working in collaboration with other students. What’s the difference between STEAM and STEM education? The simplest answer is ‘Art’. STEM was the original multidisciplinary concept of integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Art was added later, and like all change, some groups have embraced this change to call this integrated approach STEAM and other groups have stuck with STEM. Hence you will find both acronyms being used when researching this topic. Below are a few links you can click on to discover more.
What is STEM Education? STEM Education Guide | Study.com
What is STEAM Education? The Definitive Guide for K-12 Schools (artsintegration.com)
