Innovation Meets Environmentalism

On Wednesday, September 25th I, along with our Technology coordinator and our tech specialist, attended a workshop from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and Mass STEM Hub, a program of the One8 Foundation to learn about this year's STEM week Challenge and bring it to my scientists in our lab, and eventually to other classes. The STEM Week Challenge, this year centered on the theme of Zero Waste gives students the opportunity to tackle real-world sustainability problems that organizations such as TD Garden, DELL Technologies, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) face today. During the workshop we could gather materials to work on the challenge for third to fifth grade, Zero Energy Waste, that through different activities guides the students to learn about six different energy sources: oil, coal, natural gas, solar, hydropower and wind, and helps them understand about renewable and nonrenewable energies, and ends with the assembly of a solar powered fan, and the creation of an engineered prototype using recycled materials. Since the challenge combines one of my favorite topics with the innovation of technology, I couldn't but take the challenge and bring it to my scientists, that are as enthusiastic as me to help care for the environment and our precious resources. As usual, I couldn't be prouder of them, as they show me again and again their love of learning and their enthusiasm for challenges. We are currently working on Activities 1 and 2 of the challenge, "Straight to the Source", and "Knowledge is Power", and we will go on to assembling the solar powered fan on the, hopefully, next sunny day coming up.
But the work of the scientist doesn't finish there. They have been very busy during our math routines, conversations and games, completely engaged in mathematical conundrums that with great thinking, we encountered. Oh boy the growth mindset of these innovators, never giving up, and being so brave while sharing roadblocks with the rest of the class.
Check out these past weeks' slideshow.