STEAM Education at P.S./I.S. 192

The steam committee is giving the teachers monthly suggestions for steam projects to try out with their students!

Here is one  November recommendation from the STEAM Committee that class 1-203 completed.

Food Chains:

Can be a 1 or 2 day lesson: Teaching children about food chains isn't just a science lesson; it's an opportunity to cultivate an appreciation for the natural world, develop critical thinking skills, and understand the impact of every organism, big or small.

1. Start the lesson with a BrainPOP video: BrainPOP JR K-3–Food Chain and BrainPOP 3-8—Food Chains
2. Have a discussion about different ecosystems that students can choose from. 
3. Give research time for group projects, partnerships, or individual work. 
4. Pick your animals and create your chain. 
   1. Show students pictures  of different types of paper chains you can make in your class. 
   2. Most of the materials are easy to come by; however, if you need anything see if the students can bring in. 

Here’s how a food chain STEAM activity taps into each component:

• Science: This is the most obvious connection. Children explore biology (living organisms, their characteristics), ecology (interactions within environments), and energy transfer (how energy flows from one organism to another). They learn about different ecosystems, animal adaptations, and the fundamental principles of life science.
• Technology: Children can use technology to research different organisms, their habitats, and their diets. This might involve online encyclopedias, educational videos (like those from reputable science channels), or even simple drawing programs to create their food chain diagrams. Technology can also be used for presenting their findings, like creating digital charts or presentations.
• Engineering: This is where creativity and problem-solving really shine. Children can design and build physical models of food chains or food webs, like interlocking paper chains, layered edible creations, or even Rube Goldberg machines that demonstrate energy transfer. They learn about structure, connection, and how different parts work together to form a whole system. This hands-on design process is a cornerstone of engineering thinking.
• Mathematics: Math comes into play when discussing quantities, populations, and energy pyramids. Children can explore how the amount of energy decreases at each trophic level (often by about 90%), leading to fewer organisms at the top of the food chain. They might count organisms, graph population changes, or even calculate proportions in their models.

Beyond the specific STEAM disciplines, these activities foster a wealth of essential skills:

• Critical Thinking: Analyzing relationships, predicting outcomes if a link is removed.
• Problem-Solving: Figuring out how to represent complex ideas simply, troubleshooting construction challenges.
• Observation: Closely examining plants and animals (even in pictures) to understand their roles.
• Creativity: Designing unique models, art projects, or edible representations.
• Collaboration: Working with others on group projects, sharing ideas.
• Communication: Explaining their food chains, presenting their findings.

         192 recycles!!!!

Important Dates to Remember: Steam fair will be between May 18th and May 21st.

This year, all students in grades 3-8 will be doing their own project for homework.  

Projects will be due to teachers in April.

3 winners per class will then be chosen  by May 1st to have their projects sent down to the STEAM fair!

• STEAM Packet for Students
• Science Fair Packet 7-8
• STEAM Powerpoint for Teachers/Parents
• STEAM Rubric

 We welcome our new STEAM teacher, Ms. Martinez to PS/IS 192!!!  Various grades come into the STEAM Lab, now on the 5th floor,  to focus on many aspects of STEAM education.