5th Grade  Project 1 week

STEM-tastic Adventures!

Karie B
3-5.AF.8.2
3-5.AF.8.3
3-5.AF.6.4
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
+ 1 more
1-pager

Purpose

Students will engage in a week-long project where they apply the scientific method to investigate a real-world problem relevant to their community. Through hands-on experiments, daily reflections, and peer critiques, students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while fostering self-directed learning and academic mindset. The project encourages collaboration, creativity, and communication as students explore scientific concepts and engineering practices, culminating in a live demonstration and showcase of their refined experiments.

Learning goals

Students will actively engage in scientific and engineering practices by applying the scientific method to solve real-world design problems. They will synthesize information from various texts and media, integrating it with data from tables, diagrams, and charts to enhance their understanding and application of scientific concepts. Through self-directed learning, students will reflect on their progress, using feedback to refine their experiments and presentation skills. They will develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities by exploring innovative approaches to address questions relevant to their communities, fostering a sense of identity and belonging within the scientific community.
Standards
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] 3-5.AF.8.2 - Compare and/or combine across complex texts and/or other reliable media to support the engagement in other scientific and/or engineering practices.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] 3-5.AF.8.3 - Combine information in written text with that contained in corresponding tables, diagrams, and/or charts to support the engagement in other scientific and/or engineering practices.
  • [Next Generation Science Standards] 3-5.AF.6.4 - Apply scientific ideas to solve design problems.
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Throughout the week, students will collaboratively design and conduct experiments, documenting their process in a scientific method journal. By the end of the project, each student will produce a comprehensive report that includes their hypothesis, experiment steps, data collected, and conclusions drawn, accompanied by visual aids such as charts and diagrams. The final product will be showcased in a live demonstration where students articulate their findings and reflect on their learning journey.

Launch

Begin the project with a hands-on exploration activity where students work in small groups to investigate a simple science phenomenon, such as the effect of temperature on the rate of melting ice. Provide materials and guidelines, but encourage students to devise their own hypotheses and methods for testing. This will introduce the scientific method in a practical context, sparking curiosity and setting the stage for deeper inquiry throughout the week.

Exhibition

Students will organize a Science and Engineering Fair where they present their experiments and findings to classmates, teachers, and family members. Each student will have a booth displaying their project, including charts, diagrams, and written explanations that illustrate their use of the scientific method. The fair will include live demonstrations and a Q&A session, allowing students to articulate their learning process and receive feedback from attendees. This event will serve as a platform for students to showcase their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while fostering a sense of community and belonging.