First Week Flashback: STEAM in the Library

In this month's First Week Flashback, we take a look at some of our STEAM activities from Literacy Studies classes.

Citation

Over the last several years, students have had access to a variety of materials and activities to explore and make. In 2014, students could choose to participate in Library Lab, a before-school activity that included electronic choices and hands-on manipulatives for students to enjoy and explore. (You can read about it HERE.) Two or three days a week students could choose from things like origami, LEGOs, Marble Run, coding, and gaming.

Over the years, Library Lab became something students might choose to do during their study hall time, but most recently, these sorts of opportunities have become part of the Literacy Studies class that nearly all students take. Using book fair profits and receiving a State of Iowa Scale-Up STEM grant have allowed for additional opportunities for students. Several times a semester students can choose from materials such as:

                • Spheros            • Cubelets

                • littleBits            • Felting

                • 3D pens            •  3Dux Designs

You can see some of their making and exploring below:

With the sudden end to in-person learning at school, students weren't able to enjoy all of the second semester STEAM days planned, but hopefully this fall they can continue to explore and make with these and additional items, like Root Robot, Makedo Construction materials, and Makey Makeys. Stay tuned!

Library Lab is Here!

In the spirit of creativity and play, a new activity is available in the library--Library Lab! Every even day, students are welcome to join us in the library any time between 7:15 - 8:00 AM to play, construct, and create!

Today was our first gathering, and we had many students visit. LEGOs were available (thanks so much, Mrs. Reels, for the tub of LEGOs!), as were K'Nex and a marble run.

Lego Bricks. Link. 19 Oct. 2014.

K'nex - Big Bal Box. Druyts.t. Link. 21 Dec. 2011.

Not feeling like building something? That's OK--origami books and paper were out on tables, too. 

Still not finding something that interests you? The iPads and computers are available for you to use as well. You're welcome to use iMovie or GarageBand, play on any of the apps, or code using the computers. On the library main page, students can access a Symbaloo with tips and tutorials, as well as links to coding websites like Code.org and Codeacademy.

CLICK HERE to access the Symbaloo.

Several students stopped by this morning to see what Library Lab was all about--maybe you'll see someone you know or spy an activity you'd like to try!

If you didn't make it to Library Lab this morning, no worries! We'll be here every morning on even days--stop in as you like! Hope to see you soon!