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This is my first STEM class, so I dont exactly know what to expect. I did wonder
if I made the right decision to enroll in this program instead of going for the MS in
Biology, which is online. I wonder if this will be the right kind of Science for me, that I
would need to be an effective teacher to my students with learning needs.
Monday
Here goes Monday, after introductions, the first activity was the Balloon Towers. I
said to myself, wow so this is STEM, I am now exercising my diaphragm. What does this
mean?
Do I hold my breath and store as much air to hold on for more surprises? I dont
remember blowing balloons for a long time, now that my girls are in college. Theres
quite a few of those balloons, do we need to blow all of that? I was lost in my thought
while I looked like a caricature of the North
Wind trying to blow off the mans cloak, when
the professor said engineers will work with
one hand. What? Blowing all the air I could
squeeze off my lungs is hard enough, now I
will be physically disabled by one hand?
Now, twisting and sealing those balloons with
one hand was a real challenge. Carolyn
came over and helped me, but we didnt
make it on the first try. Then Debbie helped,
also. That slowed down our balloon
production. We never thought of taping the balloon rather than twisting it. The professor
said we couldnt talk! Now, we have physical and speech impediments. The students in
my program dont really have physical disabilities, except if they got into an accident, but
a number of them have speech issues, but at least they are verbal. Now, I can imagine
how is it like to have a physical disability and a verbal impediment at the same time!
As a group we didnt see that verbal impediment coming, so we havent
discussed how our structure should be built, except that we should have 3 balloons as a
base and that we would just build on it to as high as we could. Result is a leaning tower.
We didnt even take into consideration the sizes of our balloons and how we were going
to tape it in a way that balances our structure. It got me thinking, so is this STEM?
Where does the expected teaching strategy of my school site of, I do, we do and you
do, comes in? Hmm, my interest is picking up!
The best part of the day was when we dabbled on flying toys.
Mechanical Bat
We cant make it fly in circles, it
just flaps in place.
Zing Sky Gliders
We all loved this toy that one of us
looked this up on Amazon. We will
definitely buy this. We enjoyed
how it whistles as it zings.
Parachute
It reminded me of jelly fishes
floating in Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Hot Air balloon
One of us has to hold the frame so the lantern could stay up while
one holds the blow dryer
Helicopter
My first and second try was okay, but the rest were not. These
toys looked easy to fly, but it was a different thing to actually make
it fly. It made sense why STEM is for all ages. Kids can bring their
own set of strengths to it.
I was wondering if this is possible or is this even real. That would take tons of strength to
fly those huge wings, much more launch its weight into the air.
Tuesday
Started the day with a very inspiring video about that lady engineer. Skill to build
anything you dream about in your head. She was so right, my picture of an engineer
does not jive with someone looking like a model for designer clothes! Now Im starting to
congratulate myself for choosing to be in this program!
We were given a package of styro plane parts that we needed to assemble. Click
on a link for instruction and what, it was in a foreign language! My seatmate said to click
on need support for pictures, but looking at the parts of the plane, it wasnt really that
hard to put it together. Im reminded of my EL students, pairing them with native
speakers or another EL student that has become proficient would really help.
Flying our planes outside was a real treat! I wonder why my plane is flying in a
loop or doing somersaults in the air before gliding down. My thoughts are wow, my
plane is such an expert in flying. What i know, only expert pilots can do those
exhibitions up in the air.
The field trip! It was the best that I could ever remember. I remember the feeling
of awe as we were walking into that helicopter. I was videotaping and was walking in and
a classmate turned around and said, This is so cool! It was even an understatement.
No wonder we were so quiet! Back to the lab after our lunch, now Im panicking. How are
we going to launch this little man and have him in the air for at least 3 seconds? My
partner said, Oh, dont worry, shes not even going to watch it. Well just fly it outside by
ourselves, come back, and talk about it. So I countered, I dont think so, theres a rubric
for the grade, we need to fly it for 3 seconds, and have it
land in one whole piece. She confirmed it with the
professor and came back to tell me that I was right.
Now watching our peers flying their contraptions
under the blistering heat of the sun, just made me all
nervous. It seems that they were all good, especially what
Claudia and Carolyn did. They did an awesome job!
I remember telling my partner that we check online
for ideas, but she said that would be cheating and I said,
No, thats research. Our launch was a fail, but for some
reason, I felt relieved that we went through the process of
designing it. I was all for sitting down and planning all the
details before we do trial flights. My partner was more spontaneous, on the go, biting off
the tape instead of cutting it. Were opposite forces. Shes the thrust, Im the drag that
she said, and Well make a good marriage!
Thursday
Technology.
I always thought that this word referred to computers and digital devices, thats
why my apprehension in enrolling in this program. I dont
have those strengths that deal with computer programs.The
only technology strength I would consider is setting up
microscopes and preparing its slides. It was a relief to know
and understand what technology is all about.
Friday
Wow, I cant believe this the end of this class. I had so much fun, that I was not
prepared to be frustrated with the days project!
We are going to scale draw a Bicycle! To think that I just remembered my little
cousin, decades ago, bent on working on his
dismatled bike, with his every waking time. Well, at
least I thought we will draw it and will not make our
nails messy with grease. The only thing is, we will
have to draw this on our own and not as a group!
Final Thoughts
On the, Backward Bike, this line struck me, Knowledge is not equal to
Understanding.
This made me understand that the process of designing or constructing a design, though
how frustrating it could be, is as much valuable as the end results.
The process created new neural pathways or strengthens previous ones. I will
remember this class as like having Peter Pan syndrome---having so much fun playing
like a little kid and losing track of time! :)