STEM & So Much More
Written by: Jim Franklin
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is an innovative way for students to be prepared for college or work, introduce them to life skills, and improve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. When teachers develop high-quality lessons, it is important that all of the lesson components, such as the introduction, learning objectives and guided practice of standards-based activities, and closing, meet all of their students’ needs, including students with disabilities and the “hard to reach” students.
Background:
Jim Franklin, a special education teacher from Elm Street Elementary in Rome, GA, believes that all students can learn, especially if the lessons are well-planned by the teacher and everyone, including the teacher, sees a purpose for what is being taught. Jim has also observed that some of the best outcomes of his STEM activities are not assessed on classroom assignments and tests or on state-wide assessments. With proper lesson planning and understanding of the needs of his students, Jim quickly realized that STEM activities can help build and maintain positive relationships with his students. Once positive relationships have been established, students are more likely to exhibit appropriate behavior in class, ask questions, and complete new challenging assignments.
Jim taught fourth-grade students in the ASPIRE After School Program at his school. In the program, the students worked daily in the Lexia Reading Program, which is a computer- based instructional program. Additionally, the students received assistance with their homework and participated in enrichment activities. After about one month, Jim noticed that some of his students started to lack motivation with the reading program and were tired because they had worked very hard during the school day. To make the most of his students’ time, Jim knew he had to be proactive and create a project that would “jump start” his students. Then, Jim had an idea….
After creating a materials list and writing detailed directions for the students to follow and build a hover disc for the class, Jim went to Home Depot after school and purchased the following materials:
4’ x 4’ PVC shower pan liner
42” in diameter ½” plywood
5” plastic door knob wall protector
8’ rope
½” eye screw for the rope
One ¾” screw, nut, and washer
1 roll of duct tape
Staple gun
Electric sander
Sandpaper
Box cutter
Leaf blower (The hover disc used in the project was the PowerSmart 36v PS76201A cordless blower 174 mph air)
Jigsaw
½” drill bit and drill
Pencil
42” circle of indoor/ outdoor carpet
1 quarter- sized felt foot
Heavy duty glue
½” sheet of plywood
5” diameter circle of carpet
“‘You are going to build something and then ride it.’ Most of the students had puzzled expressions on their faces, and then they all laughed after one of the students jokingly stated, ‘Mr. Franklin, you forgot to buy the wheels.’”
When the students arrived at his after-school class the next afternoon, they were very curious and began to ask questions. Jim replied, “You are going to build something and then ride it.” Most of the students had puzzled expressions on their faces, and then they all laughed after one of the students jokingly stated, “Mr. Franklin, you forgot to buy the wheels.” Jim paused for a few seconds, smiled, and responded, “I guess your toes will be thankful.”
Purpose:
Jim stated the purpose of the hover disc STEM project to his students. In addition to learning academic standards, another important objective of the project was for students to demonstrate the ability to follow oral and written directions as well as being able to provide oral and written directions; Jim stressed the importance of these life skills to his students. He also mentioned that if they build it the right way and follow the directions the first time, it can be used and enjoyed for a long time. He also wanted his students to develop the ability to work more independently and only ask for help when necessary.
Expectations:
Jim set high expectations for the STEM project. In order for students to help build the hover disc, they must be engaged in the Lexia Reading Program, exhibit appropriate behavior for safety reasons, and demonstrate patience because each student would work for approximately 5-10 minutes. Then, the student would return to their Chromebook to resume working on their reading assignment. At that time, Jim would call another student over to continue working on the project. Jim also emphasized to the class that the opportunity to receive help on reading assignments during class while the hover disc was being built would be in the following order: think and try, ask a friend, and then ask Mr. Franklin.
The students would read the direction’s steps for the day before they began working on the hover disc. He would always review or teach the specific math vocabulary during the lesson as well as introduce and model how to use the tools safely.
Directions:
- Cut a 42” diameter circle out of ½” plywood.
- Use electric sander or sandpaper to round the edges of the plywood.
- Trace the end of the leaf blower 8” from the edge of the plywood.
- With the drill bit inside of the traced shape, drill the hole.
- Cut out the shape with the jigsaw.
- Use sandpaper to make sure the leaf blower is in the hole very tightly
- Lay the plywood circle on the PVC shower pan liner.
- Cut off the extra pan liner, but leave at least 3”. There will be some “ridges.” Cut along and tuck them under so that the pan liner will lay flatter on the plywood.
- Duct tape the entire edge of the pan liner and then staple the tape and pan liner/ plywood.
- Drill a small circle in the middle of the 5” plastic circle the diameter of the ¾” screw.
- Drill a hole in the middle of the plywood circle the diameter of the ¾” screw.
- Attach the small circle to the plywood circle with the washer and nut. I also recommend using heavy-duty glue in addition to the screw. The head of the screw needs to be on the bottom of the hover disc.
- From the middle of the plastic circle on the bottom, lightly draw with a pencil a 16” circle around it.
- Cut 12 dime-sized holes on the line spaced equally on the 16” circle to allow the air to escape.
- Cut a 5” circle of carpet and glue it on the 5” plastic circle to prevent the hover disc from scratching the floor.
- Apply the felt foot on the nut or recess the nut to ensure comfort on the top.
- Set the 42” in diameter carpet on the top of the plywood.
- Staple about every 2-3” around the edge of the plywood.
- In between the leaf blower hole and edge of the plywood, screw in the ½” eye screw.
- Tie the rope to the eye screw.
- Have fun!
Additional Information:
- After the hover disc was finished, Jim informed his students that they would be given opportunities to ride the hover disc after they “level up” in the reading program and demonstrate growth and exceptional behavior.
- The cost of materials to build the hover disc was $200; the tools were not included.
- In order to address the academic standards, life skills, and safety procedures to be taught by their teacher, students worked on the project one day (45 minutes) per week for eight weeks.
- The hover disc is for inside use only due to the material used on the bottom of the hover disc.
- The weight limit is approximately 200 lbs.
“Because of his students’ enthusiasm during the project, positive attitudes and priceless school memories were created.”
After the hover disc was finished, the students looked forward to school every day because they were given opportunities to earn planned and occasional unannounced rewards for demonstrating appropriate behavior and working hard in class. From the teacher’s perspective, the academic skills he taught helped his students master their math standards, opened their eyes for a possible career path in construction, and introduced vital life skills. Because of his students’ enthusiasm during the project, positive attitudes and priceless school memories were created. After every student’s first ride, he can always state, “Because we learned how to read and were well-behaved in class, we were able to build a hover disc.”
Feel free to contact Jim at Slide-A-Round@comcast.net if you have any questions or need additional information.
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