As
Empire Elementary School works towards becoming more STEM (Science Technology
Engineering and Math) focused, all the students in grades K-5 participated in a
school-wide project this afternoon called "Barbie Bungee." The
project was designed to allow students to stretch their minds and explore their
engineering savvy by applying it first-hand through an outdoor bungee-jump…err…test.
The
project-based learning taught the students about the properties of different
materials as they explored which type of rope would best meet the criteria for
a successful bungee drop. They also gathered data as they measured distances of
various drops and how different lengths and weights affect the drop distance.
Over
the first few weeks of school, students with the help of their teachers graphed
the data and analyzed the information to make predictions that would help their
design.
After
engaging discussion, each class came up with the design they felt would best
meet the criteria of having their Barbie or action-figure bungee-jump safely
off the playground ball wall.
“This
was such a fun and engaging way to involve students in their learning,” said
Adrienne Wiggins, STEM Coach at Empire Elementary School. “They had great
questions and rich discussions at every level. One third grade class even
realized they could test their design at 55 inches and then double the results
to get to the total distance of 110 inches.”
As
the school continues through the year, teachers will be creating STEM units
each quarter that integrate their grade level standards from the different
subjects, Ms. Wiggins continued. Students will be engaged in real-world
problem-based learning that helps them make connections to the world beyond our
classroom walls.