STEAM Rolling: Advanced Engineering for Elementary Students

Simple Machines

Kris Van Deusen, Debbie Besnier, Matthew Whaley Elementary. Approximately 150 STEM projects have been built using the materials and tools from the portable STEM classroom including simple machines, amplitude increasing speakers for both high and low frequencies, and catapults. Two advanced projects, solar powered car and boat, have just begun. We were able to produce advanced portable STEM modules (large storage bins with wheels) to complement the other eight STEM modules. Everything that was needed for construction of projects was available. Some consumable or recycled materials were collected for specific items to be built, but the supplies found in the portable STEM modules have proved sufficient. Many projects will not always be limited to one module as some lessons will require the use of two or more. We are always interested in the student response to a grant. Some things teachers heard during construction- “I like how you could improve your launcher when it didn’t work the first time. You were allowed to make it better. It was pretty challenging.” “This is awesome! Can we do this again?” “Mr. Van Deusen, I need a spoon. Can you find me a spoon?” “Can we take these home?”