Past projects 7
Introduction to Rocketry
Funded Dec 3, 2019The students have been super excited about building the straw rockets. We have used the materials to conduct experiments as well as to hold contests. 5th graders are using the straw rockets to learn about the scientific method. Each group chose an aspect of the rockets (weight of nose cone, fin size , fin shape) and conducted experiments to see how changing the factor affected the rocket flight.
The students gasped in surprise and happiness when I demonstrated the straw rocket and explained that they would be building them. Even my most reluctant students embraced this project and many of them met with huge success. The simplicity of the materials allowed the students to adjust and revise their builds which also taught them perseverance.
My 6th grade students are currently building cars using recyclable products (cardboard, plastic bottles, paper towel tubes). The cars will be powered using our WeDo 2.0 motors and battery packs. The project requires imagination, planning, the engineering design process as well as knowledge of simple machines.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie
This classroom project was brought to life by An anonymous classroom supporter and 4 other donors.From Classroom to Table
Funded Sep 7, 2018When the students walked into the room and saw the Vertical garden, they were full of questions and guesses as to what it was and how it worked. We took time to examine the garden (which hadn't been filled with plants yet) and the students eventually figured out how it worked. They were however surprised to hear that we would not be putting soil into the pots!
Over time the students planted seeds and filled in the pots with the seedlings. We have used the garden to examine how plants react to light (by moving the light source around). We have watched beans develop from the flowers and even practiced being bees by pollinating the flowers using qtips! The garden is a constant source of attention and questions from the students as our plants continue to grow. So far, we have beans, lettuce, onions, peppers and cucumber plants growing. The presence of the garden leads to questions about conserving water, pesticides and the idea of where does our food come from.
Our students are taking the lessons from the hydroponic garden and creating their own hydroponic setup using plastic soda bottles. The vertical garden has accomplished all of my goals and provided more opportunities than I could've imagined.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie
This classroom project was brought to life by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and 5 other donors.Building Materials for Kid Engineers
Funded Mar 29, 2018The students have really embraced our new materials. The kindergartners and first graders have used the Magnetizes to build 3D shapes as well as demonstrate their knowledge of shapes. The magnetic blocks were used to design and build bridges. The interlocking disks have prove to be one of the more utilized items. The students have built structures, flowers, animals and almost anything they could imagine.
The students were so excited to see our new materials. They immediately begin exploring and building. It didn't long for them to begin creating interesting and creative structures.
In the coming months, the students will be learning to code robots using WeDo 2.0 and also learning to draw 3D pictures on the computer as they are introduced to our 3D printer.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie
Building and Coding Robots
Funded Apr 21, 2018My students have been really excited to use the robot. One of the main benefits of the mbot is the ease of use. The students were really excited to hear that the robot used Scratch as a programming language because they were already familiar with it. The students are able to add components and completely modify the robot independently. Our first project was to build and program a robot that had obstacle avoidance.
The students were quite taken with the mbot..many remarked about how cute it was and there were lots of questions about all the holes in it. When I showed them the different components that could be attached, they were more than ready to get started.
A future project that my students will be working on is tied into the Mars rover- Curiosity. The students will be programming the robot to move an object from one section of the classroom to another and they will also program the robot to react to the amount of light in the classroom (as if it were solar powered).”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie
Solar Car Racers
Funded Mar 6, 2018The STEM lab has been a beehive of activity as the students plan, design and build solar cars using the motors, solar panels and parts provided by you. We have researched gear ratios, friction and numerous other concepts in the planning our builds. We are now in the testing phases and the students are making improvements in the gears and panel mounts.
My students eyes lit up and the room filled with excited voices when they saw the solar panel and motors. They immediately wanted to get started and had lots of questions.
The students are using the knowledge gained from building the solar cars to create other solar projects. They have built solar fans using Legos, Knex and other building materials and placed them in windowsills around the school. The solar car project has served as a springboard into the world of renewable energy.
Wind turbines are next on the to do list! We are using plastic water bottles to build propellers and blades. We will be measuring the most effective blade design based upon the amount of electricity generated.
Thank you for your generosity and support!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie
Robotics for Kids
Funded Jan 3, 2018The addition of the Ozobots to our science lab has had an amazing effect on the students. I have watched the student's imagination and creativity grow. The nature of the Ozobot has led students to create road maps and story maps through which the Ozobot travels. They have quickly mastered the skill of using color to code the robots. Many students are already experimenting with different codes and express a desire to create their own codes.
A day in the STEAM lab with Ozobots is filled with excited voices and exclamations of surprise and delight as the students successfully create codes. The students are learning to collaborate with each other to build large paths and diagrams for the Ozobot to follow. This is also supportive of our ongoing class goals of taking turns, sharing and helping each other.
A great benefit of using the Ozobots is that the ESOL students are able to be successful in coding. Once they learned several of the main color codes, they are able to build and design without the hindrance of the language barrier. I have also found that many of my academically weaker students have found success in using the Ozobots for the same reasons. The students who typically struggle in Reading and Math are able to work with their classmates which has helped create an overall happy and supportive classroom atmosphere.”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie
Elementary Electrical Engineers!
Funded Mar 13, 2017My students have benefited in many ways. The ability to create and build their own circuits and Bristlebots has given them an understanding of electricity, circuits and motors that only hands on experiences can provide. I watched them experiment with adding more batteries or components to their circuits and learn about resistance and voltage. The additional technology you help add to the lesson allowed my students to followed their imaginations and curiosity.
The students loved the simplicity of the build. They were thrilled by the idea of building a toy on their own. There were lots of questions and guesses about how the Bristlebots moved as well as about the LED/breadboard circuits.
I am always thrilled when students in the lab who typically don't do well in the classroom excel in the science lab. Many of the girls were really engaged in the technology we used on this project. They were excited to create something that moved on it's own and thought of the bot as a pet. I feel that this has opened a door for them to continue to explore electrical engineering and I am currently planning a project on wearable technology using LED and conductive threads!”
With gratitude,
Mr. Hoskie