Second grade botanists began their study of plants with a focus on leaves. We looked at leaves that were a variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, textures, and colors. Wow, our God values creativity and diversity!

Leaves, as well as many other things in nature, can be divided equally through a line of symmetry. We explored symmetry with mirrors. We drew pictures on one side of a line, and then placed a mirror on the line of symmetry to see the other side. Today we had science with a touch of math and a dab of art!

Scientists classify everything! At the beginning of lab, my kindergarten scientists sorted their classmates into groups using a single attribute (gender, color of eyes, etc.) Then we learned to use a Venn diagram to classify physical properties of objects with multiple attributes. The objects that have a property in common are placed in the intersection (where the circles overlap). We practiced math concepts, such as equal/unequal and more/less with this activity too.

First grade engineers enjoyed this challenge, so I decided to give the same challenge to my second grade engineers. They were tasked to build a structure using Popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, 3 x 5 cards, and clothespins that could stand on its own. This isn’t easy to accomplish and I was impressed with the variety of designs! While some students used symmetry to help balance their structures, many other structures were asymmetrical. Every time our structures fell, we used what we learned to improve our designs.

This young engineer placed one clothespin horizontally at the foundation which enabled her to balance the rest of her structure. She also had a very steady hand!

My first grade engineers were asked to construct a bridge that could hold pennies with four sheets of paper. How could we fold, twist, bend, or roll the paper to make it stronger? Click here to watch the video that introduced this lesson.

Click here to watch a video that we watched after we tested our designs.

My kindergarten students used the Engineering Design Process (ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve), as they constructed 3D structures with straws, pipe cleaners and a little tape.

After studying bridge designs and vocabulary in their math classes, fourth grade engineers were tasked with creating bridges. Collaborative groups were given Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, bendable rods, and glue. The students applied math, science, and engineering skills to create the designs below.