STEM Snow Shovel Challenge

This afternoon we participated in another STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activity.

The challenge was to build a snow shovel that could pick up a lot of snow. We used a bin of rice to represent the snow and the constraint was that students had to be able to use the shovels with only two fingers (to limit the size of the shovels).

Today the students were assigned partners and took some time to chat about their plans and decide on materials before getting started.

Choosing materials

The materials available included:

• index cards
• clips
• straws
• pipe cleaners
• popsicle sticks
• tape
• scissors

Testing our designs. 

Once the students had their initial shovels they came and tested them. Each scoop of "snow" was measured and recorded.

Some very proud students who created the shovel that moved the most snow.

It was delightful to see students go back to their designs over and over in attempts to improve them and pick up more of the rice.

Reflecting and sharing our design challenges and successes.

Mindfulness and Yoga

 It is mindfulness week at school. So we are practicing yoga. We do yoga to stretch our bodies and calm our minds.

We read "I Am Yoga" by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds and we tried the poses.

It made me feel calm and my body slow. - Harleen 
It relaxed my body. - Xander
It felt calm when you were listening because we were staying still at the end. - Justin
It made me feel relaxed and calm and when I was doing all the poses. I was nice and calm breathing through my nose.  - Charlotte
It made me feel relaxed and calm. - Isabella
It was calm and peaceful. - Chance
It was joy and love in your body. - Autumn
It made me feel calm and peaceful. - Camilo
It was peaceful and kind and good for your body. - Noah
It was calm. - Brodie
It was peaceful. - Caleb

Ways to move - outside

We went outside today to have fun because it was a nice day outside. Why wouldn't we? 

We have been learning about different ways to move. While we were outside we were sliding, running, pulling, gliding, spinning, penguin sliding, walking, jumping and climbing. 

This is how we move and explore - By Room 9

Here's what the kids had to say: 

I loved everybody's good job - Noah

Sledding is my favourite - Chance

We gathered some blocks for the big kids - Landyn

We loved the wind - Autumn

My favourite part was when I fell on my face - Camilo

I was helping the big kids by filling in all the holes in their fort - Isabella

We helped to make the walls bigger on the fortress - Xander

Holiday Fun

On the last day of school before holidays we celebrated with some STEM challenges. I have absolutely loved watching the students build their stamina and confidence during these challenges. They are becoming more confident in their abilities and developing strategies to help them become more successful.

Here are the challenges students were presented with.

We also spent some time wrapping the special gifts we made for our families. 

In the afternoon we went over to the adventure playground at Discovery Childcare Centre. We were so lucky to learn all about fire safety and we even got to roast marshmallows!! 

THANK YOU Discovery!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday and I can't wait to see you on January 9th!