STEAM when there is no "T"

Oh TECHNOLOGY!  Oh TECHNOLOGY

What do you do in a STEAM classroom without computers?

What do you do in a STEAM classroom with very few supplies?

GET CREATIVE!

The first 3 weeks were on boats, buoyancy, floating/sinking!  Thank goodness for a patient educational aide, borrowing LEGOS from the art teacher, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and free resources from our public library through HOOPLA.

Today I planned a three week unit on simple machines.  Low tech and high learning are the goals!

I now can rattle off more information than I ever knew about boat, displacement, and more.

Look for pictures of our boats, LEGO challenge, sinking/floating and more...the camera card is at school and I am home for the weekend.

So look for TECHNOLOGY updates...until then...my STEAM is more of SEAM classroom :)

When is the TECHNOLOGY coming????
My current mantra is "The tables are coming, The tables are coming"  like Paul Revere might say....
The company said that it should take about 21 business days to ship out the order.  21 business days feel like FOREVER.  I am 7 days into this waiting period.  Then they will ship out to us.


UPDATE AS OF 10/1
WE HAVE COMPUTERS, POWER, and IT IS WORKING!

First STEAM project

Week 1 in the library was all about learning what is STEAM, internet safety, and finally trying out a science/engineering project.

After projectors not working, buckets being too small, courtyard not having a spigot to get water, not enough pennies, the aluminum foil boats worked as a kick off project!

Helpful hints to fellow STEM teachers:
1. Have 100 pennies per group
2. Purchase pre-cut sheets of aluminum foil. I found mine at Gordon Food Service (GFS)
3. Find a big space to build and float the boat
4. Dog/kiddie pool makes a fun, large place to float boats and add pennies

Where did I get this idea?  I went to the Pennsylvania State Library Association conference.  I attended a break out session.

2nd, 3rd, and 4th used this website/video
Kara and Winston
1st grade watched this video
Smartie the Penguin

STEM vs. STEAM

I love acronyms.  They can make writing something longer so much shorter.  But educational ones can be confusing, used with ease by educators, and confusing to community people.  Over the past two weeks, I have been working on switching my brain to STEAM vs STEM.  In addition, Wattsburg Elementary Center will be offering STEAM as one of the "specials" along with art, gym, music, and library. 

First what does STEM stand for?
    SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, and MATH
What does STEAM stand for?
    SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, and MATH

Where did this start or where can I find more resources?
STEAM
Article

What are your thoughts on STEM vs. STEAM?  Any other great resources or articles?

Later this week look for information on my students first STEM project!