Showcase of Student Work
Below is a collection of projects and work done by my students in my S.T.E.M. classes.
S.T.E.M. 8: 8th Grade S.T.E.M.
S.T.E.M. 7: 7th Grade S.T.E.M.
S.T.E.M. 6: 6th Grade S.T.E.M.
Free Little Library Project
S.T.E.M. 8
In this completely student led project, students researched designs, organized a book drive, ordered materials, planned, built and decorated Free Little Libraries for multiple schools within the district. This project exemplifies the 6 C's of New Pedagogies for Deep Learning; creativity, citizenship, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and character. This project allowed for the students and teacher to problem solve together while taking risks to go above and beyond to add real world context to learning, while having a lot of fun in the process!
Finished Free Little Library installed at a district elementary school.
Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams
S.T.E.M. 8
The Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams Project exemplifies the community and character of Van Hoosen Middle School students and staff. When a Van Hoosen student was diagnosed with cancer and had to spend the holiday season in the hospital, the S.T.E.M. 8 students thought they could do something to brighten his day, well night. Students planned and created light up signs to hold outside of their peers hospital window during a hospital hosted event called Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams on the night of December 21st, 2019. Not only did these students go above and beyond in their creation exemplifying real world math skills, precision, and creativity with each letter, the entire Van Hoosen Community came together to hold the signs and celebrate their fellow Viking.
Dream House Project
S.T.E.M. 7
Students begin this project studying square footage, and blue print design. Students will create their own hand drawn blueprint and calculate each room and the homes total square footage. Students then will take their design online to create a blueprint and interior design using CAD. This project showcases students' creative ability to design their own dream house. Beyond that it show their technical skills of drafting by hands and using CAD effectively.
TinkerCAD Board Games
S.T.E.M. 7
S.T.E.M. 7 students are taught collaboration, creativity, and technical skills in their TinkerCAD Board Game Project. After an introduction to Isometric and Orthographic drawings students begin to explore and learn TinkerCAD. Students will then be put into groups to come up with a brand new board game that utilizes TinkerCAD created and 3D printed game pieces. Students work together to think outside of the box and create a fun new board game concept, then spend time creating game pieces from scratch on TinkerCAD that will later be 3D printed.
Ev3 Robots
S.T.E.M. 6
Exposing students to robotics is a large part of my S.T.E.M. 6 course. We use Lego EV3 Robots, working in pairs students build, program and test their robot to complete a series of challenges. Students are exposed to robot building and the mechanics of a robot. They then go on to learn about programing and gain experience relating the sequence of program commands and the physical movements of the robot. Students gain problem solving experience, perseverance, communication skills and technical programming experience throughout the entire unit.
Video Game Creation-GameMaker Lite
S.T.E.M. 6
Using GameMaker Lite students are introduced to GameMaker drop and drag coding. Students use their creativity to create a brand new video game. Students will collect or create their own sprites, backgrounds and design elements. Students then use problem solving skills to code to create a multilevel video game. Below are some excitable files of students games that can be played.