In March, students at Island City Elementary enjoyed some fun with STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Teachers from the Greater Oregon STEM Hub (GO STEM) and from OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Technology) spent time at ICE teaching students about physics and chemistry.
First, Laura from GO STEM taught students how to build paper rockets, complete with nose cones and fins. After a lot of experimentation (and Scotch tape), students ventured onto the grassy playground field to test their rockets using specially designed machines powered by bicycle air pumps. There were excited squeals as the students launched their rockets and watched them fly across the field. Laura then talked about which rocket designs seemed to work best for going the greatest distance and the highest, letting the students think about their own designs and what worked and didn’t work.
Next, all students enjoyed an assembly in the gym about chemistry with Tyler from OMSI. He talked about the difference between physical reactions and chemical reactions and ways to tell the difference. Then he asked for volunteers from the assembled students to perform several experiments, some of which involved large amounts of bubbling foam and volcano-like reactions.
Tyler said he wants kids to learn the big idea that when there is a chemical reaction between two chemicals, the two chemicals cease to be those chemicals and are turned into something entirely different.
What is students’ favorite thing at the assembly? “They love the big flashy things, the fire and things exploding and bubbling up,” Tyler said.
ICE students seemed to love their day exploring STEM. And so did Laura and Tyler. “We have great jobs because we get to go around to schools and teach kids about science.”
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