Category: STEAM Program
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Making a Lens Camera!
General Topics: Optics, Physics, Visual Perception Grade Level: 2-3 In this activity we explored the process of building a lens camera. This exercise was used to teach how lenses work, from a camera to our own eyes. The students were given the materials to assemble and asked to explain various observations they made with their lens cameras.…
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Making a Wooden Box!
General Topics: Building, Energy Transfer, Physics Grade Level: 2-3 In this activity we explored the process of building a wooden box with a lid, held together with a fabric hinge. This exercise was used to teach the fundamentals and begin an easy introduction to building and creating. Students were then allowed to get creative and decorate…
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Check out what SPARKmakers did at MERCY’S STEAM Program Spring 2016!
General Topics: Architecture, Circuits, Design, Electronics, Engineering. Geometry, Physics Grade Level: 6-8 Over the course of 12 weeks (from April 6th through June 22nd), SPARKmakers led a “thinkering” workshop titled Designing Playful Structures, Simple Machines, and Electronic Gadgets at Mercy Neighborhood Ministry of Philadelphia and in partnership with the Internship Program from William Penn Charter School.…
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Motorized Car!
General Topics: Physics, Engineering, Mechanics, Simple Machines, Electric Energy, Circuits, Electronics, Basic Robotics Grade Level: 6-8 In this activity, we made battery powered remote controlled cars. Process: During the first session, we explained the concepts behind circuitry and how we were applying it, and started assembling the H-bridge circuit we would use to control the car. This required an extended…
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Making a Marble Ramp!
General Topics: Physics, Engineering, Simple Machines, Kinetic Energy, Architecture, Design, Geometry Grade Level: 6-8 In this activity we built marble ramps. This exercise teaches students how to plan a design and how to build it, and how gravity, acceleration and momentum affect objects. This is an exercise designed around creativity and problem solving. Process: The students are given…
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Making a Geodesic Dome!
General Topics: Geometry, Architecture, Physics Grade Level: 6-8 In this activity we explored the process of building a geodesic dome with straws by: a) observing a picture, rather than by following a set of instructions; b) working with the other students in their groups; and c) observing the other groups, ideas were bounced back and forth which…