Showcasing STEM in the Lower School

Recent projects in the DREAM Lab and the Science classroom have been igniting creativity and curiosity in Baldwin’s Lower School students.

 

In DREAM Lab with Lower School DREAM Lab Coordinator Stephanie Greer, second graders explored 3D modeling, learning to master the tricky process of working and creating in 3 dimensions in an app called TinkerCAD. After practicing a set of skills, students had opportunities to creatively apply those skills. The unit culminated in each student designing a prototype of a small self-watering planter. The planters were 3D printed, and the students will be testing their prototypes with Science Teacher Brian Ferrenz in Science class in the coming weeks.

 

First graders also worked on a joint Science/DREAM Lab unit, using DREAM Lab classes to pick up where science left off with an exploration of biomimicry. Over the course of their unit, students worked in pairs to build a moving mechanism with the LEGO robotics kits. They observed its movement and answered the question, "What in nature does this movement remind me of?" which inspired them to modify their plain model into an imaginative nature-inspired model by adding Lego bricks. Girls coded the models to exhibit behaviors that worked well for their models; each model needed unique code since the mechanisms were all different.

 

In Science, Pre-K students delved into the fascinating world of mixtures and solutions and embarked on an introductory journey into engineering design by creating and refining their own bubble wands, which they will continue working on in DREAM Lab. Kindergarten students buzzed through an in-depth study of honeybees and other crucial pollinators, culminating in lessons on the structure of plants and flowers. Meanwhile, fifth graders tackled the formidable topic of natural disasters through research projects that spanned historical and contemporary events, honing their presentation skills by sharing insights with their peers. This series of classes not only enriched students' understanding of the natural world but also equipped them with practical skills and knowledge applicable beyond the classroom.