With St. Margaret’s increased emphasis on interdisciplinary work and the positive effects it has on student learning, the Lower School began to rethink how 40-minute blocks each week for science, technology and art could synergize to open new avenues for learning in grade 5.

 

“We wanted to capture a block of time for interdisciplinary projects,” Lower School principal Jennifer Blount said.

As a result, the Lower School created a 90-minute STEAM block this year, where grade 5 students work on units that include elements of science, technology, engineering, math and art. The class is co-taught by Lower School science teacher David Beshk, ICE Lab teacher Angela Mackenzie and art teacher Mary Mayer-Grubb. It takes place weekly in both the ICE Lab and the adjoining science classroom, allowing students access to all of the tools needed in each space.

The curriculum centers around grade 5’s STEM theme of water, which includes an extensive interdisciplinary project that will last through much of the fall.

The “Home Water Consumption Challenge” began last week as students measured personal water usage at home by tracking gallons used in the bath faucet, kitchen faucet, shower, toilet, dishwasher and washing machine. Students will experiment with the best way to measure water use in each appliance, use math concepts to convert figures to a common measurement, calculate total usage and chart the data on a spreadsheet.

The challenge will then shift toward finding ways to better conserve water at home—including the creation of a product that will assist in conservation. Students will apply art, engineering and technology concepts to brainstorm, draft and design a tool that can be used to conserve water use at home. The tool will be created on a 3D printer in the ICE Lab.

Mr. Beshk, Mrs. Mayer and Mrs. Mackenzie all worked on the curriculum over the summer as part of St. Margaret’s Innovation Summer Grant program, where faculty were incentivized to partner with teachers in another department to create interdisciplinary lessons that integrate content and skills across division.

At the conclusion of the water consumption unit, the teachers will share their experiences and model their pilot with the entire faculty during a professional development day in January.