Guess what? I like Star Wars.--I teach K-8 at Burns Science and Technology Charter School, and this site is only for school use, no products are sold here.
I found all the heading images online through Google image searches.--NONE of the Star Wars header images on this Website are my own creation.
I found all the heading images online through Google image searches.--NONE of the Star Wars header images on this Website are my own creation.
* Please Scroll down several posts to find your STEAM Projects *
Sept. 18 Oct. 2- in STEAM:
This week-(9/18-21) in K-1st - we will be learning about SOUND! And how vibrations and sounds are connected!
You can continue to foster your child’s curiosity by sitting down together and watching this short video about some famous sound effects artists (bet you can guess that my favorite is Ben Burtt!)
This and Next week 9/18-28 - in K- 4th -
We will examine the steps that help scientists to learn more about our universe and beyond than most people.
Then from 9/26 -28 in 2nd - 4th-
We will be shaking sugar cubes in containers to experiment with ideas about EROSION. Does a mountain last forever? You can support this week’s learning by taking a walk with your child around where you live. Together you can point out and discuss examples of weathering like cracks in the sidewalk, potholes in the street or bricks that have started to chip away.
You can continue to foster your child’s curiosity by sitting down together and watching this short video about some famous sound effects artists (bet you can guess that my favorite is Ben Burtt!)
This and Next week 9/18-28 - in K- 4th -
We will examine the steps that help scientists to learn more about our universe and beyond than most people.
Then from 9/26 -28 in 2nd - 4th-
We will be shaking sugar cubes in containers to experiment with ideas about EROSION. Does a mountain last forever? You can support this week’s learning by taking a walk with your child around where you live. Together you can point out and discuss examples of weathering like cracks in the sidewalk, potholes in the street or bricks that have started to chip away.
This Week in STEAM: Sept. 10--14
In 2nd and 3rd Grade we learned-
Why there is sand at the beach!
This week we continued our unit about land forms. This week's lesson was called, “Why is there sand at the beach?” We learned how rivers can be powerful enough to carry rocks and slam them into each other, breaking them into smaller and smaller pieces along the way.
Here’s something you can do to encourage your child’s curiosity: If you ever visit an ocean beach, look for a nearby river that empties into the sea. This is likely the source of the sand. Pick up some of the sand and look at it up close. Can you see the tiny rocks? What color are they? Ask your child to imagine and describe what color the rocks were before they got worn down to being so tiny.
How you can "Dig Deeper" at home?--
Why there is sand at the beach!
This week we continued our unit about land forms. This week's lesson was called, “Why is there sand at the beach?” We learned how rivers can be powerful enough to carry rocks and slam them into each other, breaking them into smaller and smaller pieces along the way.
Here’s something you can do to encourage your child’s curiosity: If you ever visit an ocean beach, look for a nearby river that empties into the sea. This is likely the source of the sand. Pick up some of the sand and look at it up close. Can you see the tiny rocks? What color are they? Ask your child to imagine and describe what color the rocks were before they got worn down to being so tiny.
How you can "Dig Deeper" at home?--
- Look carefully at some beach sand.
- Have your child sprinkle some sand on a piece of white paper and some sand on a piece of dark paper.
- Take a Closer Look. Use a magnifying lens if you have one.
- Ask your child how many different colors of sand grains they can they can find. and What else do they notice about the sand?
- For an even closer look at sand grains, visit Dr. Gary Greenberg’s gallery of sand grains. These photographs show sand viewed through a microscope.
@ For Chris Rose:
Week 4!-Sept. 4-7 Lessons:
This week in K-1-
Students are learning how to properly collect, use, drive, and put away our Dash robots and iPads.
They will be using the Catapult Attachments later this quarter to play some fun coding games.
They will be using the Catapult Attachments later this quarter to play some fun coding games.
This week in 2nd & 3rd Grade-
This week in STEAM, we will solve the mystery, “How can you survive a landslide?” Students will learn about landslides and how a steep slope plus rain can cause broken rocks to tumble and cause real damage. We will brainstorm solutions for preventing landslides, keeping people safe, and protecting property.
You can support this week’s learning by picking a problem that your family is encountering and brainstorming solutions with your child. Examples of problems could be how do we do X? How can we prevent Y from happening? Take a few minutes to write down some ideas together. Remember, when you’re brainstorming, there are no bad ideas! After you’ve generated some ideas, discuss them and decide which idea you think has the most promise.
Here is a link to video, which demonstrates how we may be using a typical "Brainstorming" technique.
You can support this week’s learning by picking a problem that your family is encountering and brainstorming solutions with your child. Examples of problems could be how do we do X? How can we prevent Y from happening? Take a few minutes to write down some ideas together. Remember, when you’re brainstorming, there are no bad ideas! After you’ve generated some ideas, discuss them and decide which idea you think has the most promise.
Here is a link to video, which demonstrates how we may be using a typical "Brainstorming" technique.
This Week in 4th Grade-
It's the first week of our new astronomy unit, and we're answering the question:
"Why does the Sun rise and set?"
We’ll talk about the rotation (spin) of the Earth and watch video footage from space that shows the Earth spinning.
If you have the chance to watch the sunset or sunrise with your child, be sure to turn around and check out the super long shadow you both cast when the Sun is low in the sky.
For a spectacular view of the sunrise, I recommend you and your child watch this time-lapse video of Earth.
It was created by putting together photos taken from the International Space Station. You’ll see the yellow lights of human civilization, the flashing white of lightning in the clouds, and in the end, a brilliant sun rising above the curve of our planet.
For stargazing with your children, I recommend this awesome FREE app "SkyView" by Terminal Eleven.
"Why does the Sun rise and set?"
We’ll talk about the rotation (spin) of the Earth and watch video footage from space that shows the Earth spinning.
If you have the chance to watch the sunset or sunrise with your child, be sure to turn around and check out the super long shadow you both cast when the Sun is low in the sky.
For a spectacular view of the sunrise, I recommend you and your child watch this time-lapse video of Earth.
It was created by putting together photos taken from the International Space Station. You’ll see the yellow lights of human civilization, the flashing white of lightning in the clouds, and in the end, a brilliant sun rising above the curve of our planet.
For stargazing with your children, I recommend this awesome FREE app "SkyView" by Terminal Eleven.
This week in 5th & 6th grade-
This week, students will solve a Mystery, “How could you save a town from a hurricane?” They will collaborate in groups to figure out how to prevent a fictional town from flooding, while also staying within the town’s budget.
You can encourage your child’s curiosity this week at home! Watch this quick 1-minute video together-> Talking Tropics: How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?
You can encourage your child’s curiosity this week at home! Watch this quick 1-minute video together-> Talking Tropics: How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names?
This Week in 7th & 8th Period Classes-
We will be filming Lief on Tuesday teaching us, How to Take Apart a Computer. Each student will each get a computer to disassemble the rest of this week.
Last week we were making LEGO robots in 7th period. The week of September 10-14, the 8th period class will get to use these LEGO WeDo kits.
STEMFEST!
SAVE THE DATES for STEMFEST Volusia!
SEPT 23rd – 25th, 2018
The First Annual Festival Dedicated to STEM Education
This Event is a MUST SEE for Kids and Adults!
SEPT 23rd – 25th, 2018
The First Annual Festival Dedicated to STEM Education
This Event is a MUST SEE for Kids and Adults!
August 20-31 Lessons:
week Two- K-4 Lessons...GERMS!:
We are learning about the 4 types of germs (bacteria, virus, protozoa, fungi), and how we can help to avoid the spread of germs with proper hand washing. They rubbed Glitter Bug Potion (NOT real germs) onto their hands, and with the help of my black-light flashlight, I showed them the spots on their hands where they need to wash a little better to keep their hands really clean. Luckily we have some great scrubbers this year!
5th - 6th grades -VR Game Creation:
7th & 8th Period -VEX Classes- Start Here:
Read and Review each of the VEX IQ Curriculum Modules:
Please click the link below, scroll down, and start with Unit A!
https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/education/iq-curriculum
Please click the link below, scroll down, and start with Unit A!
https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/education/iq-curriculum
K-8- Week 1 Lessons = Rules/Procedures/homework:
*STEAM Projects!*:
BST's 2018-2019 Ernest the Eagle Engineering Expositions:
Congratulations to our teaching staff for earning their STEAM certificates!
100% of our teaching staff earned their STEAMedu Certificates!
Now, we need your help to supply the materials and finished projects for each grade level to showcase student work.
This year at BST, we are going showcase the "Technology and Engineering" projects, which formed one out of the 10 parts required to earn each coveted STEAM.edu certificate.
Don’t worry- - you have plenty of time to collect supplies and build your project.
This year’s projects are not due until the first day we are back from winter break.
We will be using these items for our STEAM night stations January 10th.
Use Google to find examples of all the projects for your grade level/s below.
Please ask Ms. Mucci for examples or links if you get stuck.
Kindergarten:
Build and decorate one building for a STEAM town. Ask your child to think of what types of buildings people need and use in a town or city, and ask them who works in each building. (The building must be at least 12” tall but no taller than 24”. Must be at least 6” wide, but no wider than 12”) Buildings will be used to drive a DASH robot around our town to deliver a note to Dot. Use paper bags, cardboard boxes, construction paper, foam, or other materials to create your building, then use crayons markers or paint or other mediums to decorate your building. Get a video of you asking your child this question, “What type of community helper might work in your building and how do they help our community?”
Here’s a video example to help get your child started thinking about community helpers
Here’s a link to examples to help get your child started thinking about ideas to build a community helper’s building
Here’s a Link to an image Search for the type of STEAM Town we are building
First Grade:
Build string telephones and decorate them. Use cups, cans, fishing line, dental floss, thread, or experiment with other materials. Your child will need to test out a short string telephone and a really long one. Ask your child, “which worked better and why?”
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building your phones
2nd and 3rd Grades:
Build a type of Landform out of LEGOS, or Clay, or from other materials, and make a video of your child explaining their project.
(Landforms must be no taller tan 24” and no wider than 18” x 15”)
To meet the expectations for this project your video must include the following:
4 -Facts that contain all the necessary information as indicated below:
Hint: Complete the information below as a storyboard graphic organizer before you create your video.
Fact #1: -Landform name, name of each student, don't forget to announce the date.
Fact #2: -Construction materials, describe the materials used to create your landform.
Fact #3: -Interesting facts about your landform, list at least 2 interesting facts about your landform.
Fact #4: -Bibliography, tell the viewers the sources you used to discover interesting facts, and explain why you believe these were interesting facts.
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building your project
4th Grade:
Here’s a link to help you Make and decorate a Star Projector
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building other projects
5th Grade:
Make and decorate a VR Headset—There are many Examples and Project Ideas you may find with a Google search.
Here is a simple kit with everything included:
Google Cardboard VR Kit
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building a project from scratch
6th Grade:
Pick a country for your 6th Grade World History research project and make photo booth props of icons from that country
7th & 8th Grades:
Here are some ideas to use up plastic straws and let them remain useful for the next 200 years--
Make Plastic Straw Crafts for this years’ "Students Against Straws" Campaign
We will be making Biodegradable Straw Rockets on STEAM Night
100% of our teaching staff earned their STEAMedu Certificates!
Now, we need your help to supply the materials and finished projects for each grade level to showcase student work.
This year at BST, we are going showcase the "Technology and Engineering" projects, which formed one out of the 10 parts required to earn each coveted STEAM.edu certificate.
Don’t worry- - you have plenty of time to collect supplies and build your project.
This year’s projects are not due until the first day we are back from winter break.
We will be using these items for our STEAM night stations January 10th.
Use Google to find examples of all the projects for your grade level/s below.
Please ask Ms. Mucci for examples or links if you get stuck.
Kindergarten:
Build and decorate one building for a STEAM town. Ask your child to think of what types of buildings people need and use in a town or city, and ask them who works in each building. (The building must be at least 12” tall but no taller than 24”. Must be at least 6” wide, but no wider than 12”) Buildings will be used to drive a DASH robot around our town to deliver a note to Dot. Use paper bags, cardboard boxes, construction paper, foam, or other materials to create your building, then use crayons markers or paint or other mediums to decorate your building. Get a video of you asking your child this question, “What type of community helper might work in your building and how do they help our community?”
Here’s a video example to help get your child started thinking about community helpers
Here’s a link to examples to help get your child started thinking about ideas to build a community helper’s building
Here’s a Link to an image Search for the type of STEAM Town we are building
First Grade:
Build string telephones and decorate them. Use cups, cans, fishing line, dental floss, thread, or experiment with other materials. Your child will need to test out a short string telephone and a really long one. Ask your child, “which worked better and why?”
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building your phones
2nd and 3rd Grades:
Build a type of Landform out of LEGOS, or Clay, or from other materials, and make a video of your child explaining their project.
(Landforms must be no taller tan 24” and no wider than 18” x 15”)
To meet the expectations for this project your video must include the following:
4 -Facts that contain all the necessary information as indicated below:
Hint: Complete the information below as a storyboard graphic organizer before you create your video.
Fact #1: -Landform name, name of each student, don't forget to announce the date.
Fact #2: -Construction materials, describe the materials used to create your landform.
Fact #3: -Interesting facts about your landform, list at least 2 interesting facts about your landform.
Fact #4: -Bibliography, tell the viewers the sources you used to discover interesting facts, and explain why you believe these were interesting facts.
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building your project
4th Grade:
Here’s a link to help you Make and decorate a Star Projector
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building other projects
5th Grade:
Make and decorate a VR Headset—There are many Examples and Project Ideas you may find with a Google search.
Here is a simple kit with everything included:
Google Cardboard VR Kit
Here’s a link to help you find ideas for building a project from scratch
6th Grade:
Pick a country for your 6th Grade World History research project and make photo booth props of icons from that country
7th & 8th Grades:
Here are some ideas to use up plastic straws and let them remain useful for the next 200 years--
Make Plastic Straw Crafts for this years’ "Students Against Straws" Campaign
We will be making Biodegradable Straw Rockets on STEAM Night
Brief BattleBots Break for Shark WeeK:
Team Kraken will be back on BattleBots on Discovery Channel, Friday- August 3, 2018 at 8pm!
BotFans - There will be a Discovery Channel Shark Week Break July 20 and 27 on Discovery.
No premieres on July 20 or July 27. BattleBots will continue on Friday nights from August 3rd through the October 5th CHAMPIONSHIP match! Let the Bot Battles Begin!
Check out the posted schedule.
www.facebook.com/battlebots/photos/pb.186501336405.-2207520000.1530764601./10155442205721406/?type=3&theater
BotFans - There will be a Discovery Channel Shark Week Break July 20 and 27 on Discovery.
No premieres on July 20 or July 27. BattleBots will continue on Friday nights from August 3rd through the October 5th CHAMPIONSHIP match! Let the Bot Battles Begin!
Check out the posted schedule.
www.facebook.com/battlebots/photos/pb.186501336405.-2207520000.1530764601./10155442205721406/?type=3&theater
Team kraken-BattleBot visits BST:
Team Kraken's Graphic Designer -and former BST Eagle-
* Zoe Jane * created a font for our team!
Zoe Jane created an entire font out of her designs for Kraken using this awesome software called CALLIGRAPHR! I'll be using their software in class this year with my students! Check it out--you can create your own fonts too!!
Here is Zoe Jane with one of BST's favorite engineers, Max Bales from Team Mohawk!
Come meet Kraken Battlebot:
Meet a real TV BattleBot: Kraken! - in Titusvillehttps://www.facebook.com/events/169946036937509/