We have had a fantastic first week of school in The Meadows iSTEAM Magnet Academy! Most of the week was spent learning about the iSTEAM culture, school and classroom procedures, and presentation skills. Student groups developed presentations about classroom rules and consequences. Freedom Week was also observed and students used their newly learned presentation skills to deliver creative presentations about their rights and freedoms.
Classes watched a clip from The Avengers which showed the group members not getting along. Student groups then explored what roles a group should have and what job each role should consist of. They looked at the different Avengers and decided what role would best fit each Avenger, based on their specific skills and superhero abilities.
The week ended with lessons teaching the Engineering Design Process that will be used throughout the year to help with the creative process. Students were presented with the problem that The Avengers headquarters was destroyed and a new headquarters needs to be constructed that is as tall as it can be while still being freestanding and strong enough to endure various situations. PBL groups (Problem/Project Based Learning Groups) were formed and the group members collaborated together to brainstorm potential designs and then plan/design a blueprint of their proposed structure. Once blueprints were approved by a facilitator, material managers gathered the needed materials and group members began construction. Construction will continue through the first part of next week and then we will test out the structures.
Our 2nd and 3rd grade classes took it a step further and developed their own Surperhero names and characteristics. They also designed costumes to go along with their Superhero.
"Best first week of school ever!" was heard from many of our students and teachers in the iSTEAM hallway!