School 2 First and Second Graders Learn about Animal Characteristics and Habitats

Through trans-disciplinary STEAM activities conducted throughout the school year, first and second grade students learned about the characteristics of various animals--whether they are cold-blooded or warm-blooded, whether they are carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores, what their natural habitats are, etc.  They learned about the meaning of the term habitat, and how different habitats support the survival and growth of different animals.  They also learned that animals have features that help them to survive in different environments.

At the end of the school year, in June, the students participated in a culminating field trip to the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ.  In addition to Principal Van Lieu and their teachers, they were accompanied by Art Professor in Residence Simone Sandler, Math Professor in Residence Paul Odenwelder, Leader in Residence Robert Reid, and Geraldine R. Dodge Grant Coordinator Dina Scacchetti.  

During the day-long tour of the zoo, they saw many of the animals they had studied.  While animals such as wolves had to be kept safely behind unbreakable glass, birds such as peacocks roamed free.

 

Students also had the opportunity to feed the birds in the aviary.

Upon their return, the students produced reports and collages about their experiences that included “foldables”, thus continuing the integration of art and science.

Summer STEAM Workshop at WPU

This past July WPU’s College of Education presented a two-day workshop on STEAM.  Supported by the University’s Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Grant and the COE Office of Professional Development, the workshop was attended by approximately 40 teachers, most of whom were drawn from the College’s Professional Development Schools network.

On Day One, after an introduction to STEAM by Dina Scacchetti, Dodge Grant Coordinator, the participants were presented with 18 activities (lesson plans and packages of supplies), and encouraged to engage in any that they found of interest.  These proven-successful activities, which cover all grade levels K-12 and which cross into many other core areas, had been developed over the preceding three years through WPU's Dodge grants.   For example teachers could try "Biophillic Design/Biomimicry" for high school students:  a two- dimensional drawing and color activity in which students research the natural world as a source for their own new inventions   Or they could create a "Car That Moves" (for grades 3-6) using an assortment of three-dimensional materials and the laws of physics to create a moving vehicle.

The participants were guided through the activities by a “STEAM Team” that consisted of

WPU Professors in Residence (Triada Samaras, Art; Simone Sandler, Art; Myra Winter, Art; Paul Odenwelder, Math; and Betsy Golden, ELA) and Paterson teachers (Darryl Jones, Art; Vivian Reyes, Art; Marilyn Simon, Art; Ana Alea, Math and Science; and Michael Schulties, Science).  The "STEAM Team" shared their lesson plans, STEAM pedagogy, and STEAM expertise.

On Day Two, participants continued experimenting with these activities for much of the morning.  In the afternoon they were asked to collaborate with each other to create new activities for their classrooms, or to adapt the activities they had already tried to make them more appropriate for their individual settings.  All teachers completed the workshop with an increased understanding of and enthusiasm for the vital role of  Art in the teaching of the STEM subjects.

 

Teachers rated the STEAM Workshop very highly in their workshop evaluations, and many stated that they would like more professional development of this type.  Consequently, a follow-up workshop at which summer participants can provide feedback on their activities and new registrants can be introduced to STEAM has been scheduled for December 3, 2015, through the WPU Center for Continuing Education.

School 2 Figure Sculptures: Ratio and Proportion

In this project fifth and sixth grade students used recycled cardboard, wood, and paint to create sculptures based upon the proportions of the human body.  Although there are differences among individuals, most humans fit within a certain range of proportins.  for example, the average human is approximately seven and one-half heads tall.

In addition to the above, students were asked to construct the sculptures so that they would be strong enough and balanced enough to stand independently on their bases.  They were also asked to create the sculptures so that their figures demonstrated gestures.

Art Teacher Beth Porto, who planned and taught the lesson, said, The ability to draw and construct the sculptures accurately required considerable practice, close observation, and accurate measurement.  The need to maintain the proper relations of the body parts to each other was an exercise in the mathematical concept of ratio and proportion."

Students create STEAM Lessons at CAHTS

For the final project in Ms. Reyes's STEAM art classes at CAHTS, students were asked to create their own STEAM art and STEAM art lesson plans.  Ms. Reyes's asked her STEAM students, who have participated in the STEAM program all year long, to create their own version of a STEAM lesson.  

Above:  Ms. Reyes with one of the finished students artworks

Ms. Reyes explained to these students that they would have to pretend to be future STEAM teachers for this project.  The results exceeded Ms. Reyes' expectations.  Not only were beautiful and interesting artworks created, but all of these students were able to articulate themselves well on paper.  The lesson plans are clear and could be used to teach a STEAM class in the future.


   Above: Coralys Tavarez

Above:  Jacqueline Romero, Op Art Cube and Lesson Plan

Above:  Katherine Aguilar, Melted Crayon Art and Lesson Plan

                Above:  Tiffany Rivera, Black and White Photographs and Lesson Plan

STEAM Lesson by WPU Art Education Student Sarah Menchise

Recently in Mrs. Simon's art class at SOIT, WPU Art Education student and K-12 Art Teaching Candidate, Sarah Menchise, taught a STEAM lesson to SOIT students that she originally developed in her K-12 Art Methods Class at William Paterson University as part of her teaching practicum.

Above, Sarah Menchise (third in from the right) presents a STEAM lesson

with other pre-teaching candidates in Professor Samaras' Art Methods Class at WPU

Above: Sarah Menchise teaching at Eastside High School

For this STEAM lesson, Ms. Menchise created imaginary planets with unusual and specific conditions.  Next she asked small groups of SOIT High School students to collaborate to brainstorm how to design clothing for this environment.

Each group pf students was given a small card with the unique conditions of the planet on it.  The groups developed a design for the clothing, and when they were ready, Ms. Menchise asked them to create it out of an assortment of materials, beginning with the tracing of an actual student "model."

 

 

Ms. Menchise mentored the students when they needed help.  However, most students worked independently in groups and needed little assistance.

Students continued working on their projects after Ms. Menchise completed her work at SOIT.  Ms Menchise left a written assignment and a group critique rubric for this STEAM project's finale.

Ten Videos to Put the "A" in "STEM"

KQED:  Public Media from Northern California
is featuring ten videos that put the "A" in "STEM" on their website

http://blogs.kqed.org/education/2015/08/19/back-to-school-series-integrate-arts-with-steam-stem-arts-videos/

These videos are sure to inspire art, math, science and many other teachers! teachers.  
For example, in:

Color by Nano: The Art of Kate Nichols | Video | Grades 6-12
Artist Kate Nichols, the first artist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory synthesizes her own nanoparticles for artwork.  By making her own nanoparticles, Kate integrates the arts into her laboratory work. From the laboratory to the studio, see how Kate uses the phenomenon known as “structural color” to transform nanotechnology into creativity.

                                                        Work by Kate Nichols 

http://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/62e830c0-7343-4148-841b-d415c8c968ee/color-by-nano-the-art-of-kate-nichols/