Science and STEAM Team
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Hi, my name is Sarah. I have spent over 35 years in the field of elementary education. I taught special education, second grade, science, and enrichment through STEM. Currently, I am an educational curriculum designer specializing in the area of science. Our goal is to inspire teachers by making science easier to teach and to encourage students' sense of wonder!
Science and STEAM Team
9M ago
What is mBot Neo?
When Makeblock approached me about reviewing the mBot Neo, I was intrigued. In my last couple of years of teaching, when I was STEM Lab Coordinator, “coding” was starting to emerge in elementary schools. My students participated in Hour of Code programming challenges and used Scratch on a fundamental level. As part of the Science and STEAM, I try to stay current on everything related to STEAM. This includes coding and robotics.
When we built our STEM programs in elementary and middle schools, we had to sort through many materials to see what would best meet the needs of stud ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
1y ago
National Pollinator Week is celebrated worldwide each year in June. The timing of it doesn’t coincide well with the school year. What is essential is that we teach kids about pollinators and their importance. Here are eight activities that will help you do just that! Pick out a few that are appropriate for your students.
What is Pollination?
There are many ways that you can teach students what pollination is. Ask children what they think it is. To find out more than just asking the class what pollination is, ask students to pair/share what they think it i ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
1y ago
Millions of people visit the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York each year. In our opinion, there is no better time to go than in the fall when the leaves change color!
Why Do Leaves Change Color In The Fall?
Leaves start to change color in the fall because the days get shorter and the temperature begins to decrease. When this happens, the leaves of many deciduous trees stop making food in preparation for winter. When the leaves stop making food, they change color.
colorful maple leavesWhat Makes Leaves Change Color In The Fall?
Chlorophyll is responsible for giving pl ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
1y ago
Before I taught in an elementary science lab, I taught special education and second grade. I used anchor charts in both of these settings. Naturally, I would use this beneficial tool in my science/STEAM lab. Science concepts can be particularly difficult and complex, so having anchor charts is particularly useful.
What is an Anchor Chart?
An anchor chart is a chart or poster that supports student learning. Although you can buy premade charts, the ones with the most value are those created with your students. This type of chart is like an anchor.&nbs ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
1y ago
Recently, we traveled to Arizona and Visited Saguaro National Park. Everywhere in the park, there were saguaros (pronounced “suh-wahr-oh”) as far as the eye could see. Did you know that saguaros are among the oldest living things on Earth? These giant cacti have been around for millions of years. We discovered some fun science facts about the saguaro cactus and wanted to share them with you.
Saguaro Cactus Only Live in One Desert on Earth
The only desert the saguaro cactus live in is the Sonoran Desert. This desert is primarily in Mexico but covers mos ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
1y ago
Coral Pink Sand Dunes is Breathtaking
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is located at 12500 Sand Dunes Road in Kanab, Utah. It is a hidden gem! It takes about twenty minutes of back road driving once you get off the highway to reach the park. The scenic drive will take you past cattle, tumbleweed, and several types of pine trees (juniper, pinyon, and ponderosa) along the desert landscape. Once you reach the park and walk out to the dune overlook, you will be awestruck. There is coral pink sand for as far as the eye can see! There ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
2y ago
The Best STEM Books
I love to check out the new STEM picture books on the National Science Teaching Associations website. In January, they publish a list of “best STEM books.” The books on the list are all books that were published the year before. I find that they are perfect for the STEM library, lend themselves to many STEM challenges, are diverse in content and style, and are popular for years to come. Here are the new STEM picture books for middle grades.
Race to the Bottom of the Earth: Surviving Antarctica Author: Rebecca E. F. Barone ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
2y ago
The Geology of Sedona
“The most beautiful place on earth” is a phrase you’ll come across if you read about Sedona, Arizona. This title is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but during our visit, we came to respect its being at the top of anyone’s list! The geology of Sedona has gifted this standout place with spectacular red rock formations that are guaranteed to be awe-inspiring!
This town of 10,000 is an easy, two-hour drive north of Phoenix or an hour drive south from Flagstaff through the beautiful Coconino National Forest. Sedona is at 4,350 feet of ele ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
2y ago
A New Time in Space Exploration!
With the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope on December 25th, 2021, an exciting new era of astronomy began. The ‘Webb’ as it is known, is a collaborative effort of NASA (USA’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration), the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. It was named after James Webb, who led NASA from 1961-1968 during the Apollo mission that put people on the moon.
The Webb Telescope will take the place of the Hubble Telescope which has been exploring space since NASA launched it in 1990. The Hubble ha ..read more
Science and STEAM Team
2y ago
We had a memorable experience getting to the Elephant PooPooPaper Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our taxi driver told us lots of tales about life in Thailand. He even sang us a popular song about Elephants, or chang, in Thai. He told us that all Thai children learn this song in school. People in Thailand have a deep love and respect for elephants.
About the Elephant PooPooPaper Park
The Elephant PooPooPaper Park is an eco-friendly outdoor museum. There is an abundance of greenery so you never feel like you are crowded. Tours are offered by arti ..read more