Not just for STEAM!

Recently our third graders finished their persuasive writing unit - a unit they've done for years.  This year, however, the teachers decided it was a great opportunity to integrate technology, the Makerspace, and the Design Process into their writing time as well!  Each student was a part of a "cause group" - working to communicate a message about an issue that affected lives outside of their classroom (for example, protecting the environment or being more physically active).  After completing their research, they wrote a presentation to deliver to an audience of families and students at our Celebration of Learning night.

Most groups opted to use technology to help in delivering that presentation (recording a video on the green screen, using the iPads to create a stop-motion animation video, or creating a presentation in Google Slides).

Then they spent some time in the Makerspace, creating a promotional product to convey their message - we talked about, and looked at, lots of logo items that we get at conferences, businesses, etc. that they might use as inspiration (lanyards, bookmarks, brochures, screen cleaners, mugs, pens, and bags, to name a few).  Each group voted on a product and design, then worked furiously to mass produce something that they could hand out to audience members who listened to their presentation.

 Some groups also opted to make wearable items for themselves, so they could further communicate their message - I saw t-shirts, bracelets and bags.

It was a wonderful culminating activity for them - to take all they've learned in the classroom, in the Makerspace, and on the tech devices this year and put them all together for a purpose!  And I LOVED watching the classroom teachers, who a year ago had no idea what a Makerspace was, thinking about ways to integrate both high-tech and low-tech "making" into every part of the school day.