Monday, October 24, 2016

5th grade Chumash

Fifth Grade Chumash Link


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Update - Fourth Grade

Fourth grade just finished their study of astrobiology. They examined the possibility of life elsewhere in our own solar system as well as on planets in other solar systems. They are closing out their unit with a Makerspace design challenge. Using NASA’s Kepler Transit Space Hunt simulation, they identified an exoplanet and collected information about the exoplanet's environment. The challenge was to design a home for their planet. A requirement was that it must manipulate and blend stylistically with its environment, similar to the techniques of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Here are some photos of the design process in action! 


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

4th grade Kepler Exoplanet Transit Hunt 


Click here to start the hunt! 

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The Design Thinking Process 




Makerspace + Design Thinking

The Gifted students kicked off the year honing their problem solving skills. They utilized the Design Thinking process and experienced hand-on DIY approach to learning and play through the Makerspace. Since it was their first experience using the Makerspace, our problem prompt was fairly broad. "Create + Design something that will benefit someone in some way." The students needed to first identify the people or person for whom they were designing and then identify the need they wished to address. Check out below some of the innovative solutions they designed!

An underground bus system to eliminate school bus traffic in the morning + increase safety precautions 

The Girls Rule Team creating their rubber band car for our 5th grade race car competition! 
Buddy - a fully customized friend made with recycled iPhones for children who have experienced trauma 

A mobile restorative community center called HPO designed to reinvigorate high-need communities