Episode 065: S.T.E.A.M. Ahead with Beth Topinka

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Summary:

Have you been thinking of incorporating more engineering in your lesson plans--but not sure where to even begin? You’ll love today’s episode with Beth Topinka. She specifically talks about a 5th grade and a 3rd grade engineering project she does with her students. Lots of inspiration here!

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Show Highlights

• 02:00 - 11:30     Introduction to Beth and how she develops STEAM projects, including her favorite 5th grade project on storm surge
• 11:30 - 18:30     Developing an engineering notebook for students & learning lessons about materials and tests
• 18:30 - 26:00     Interdisciplinary collaborations & finding community partners
• 26:00 - 34:00     Beth's 3rd grade STEAM project on fossil transport
• 36:00 - 46:00     Beth's advice for teachers and thoughts on assessments

 Show Quotes 

"So much of [engineering] models what people face in real life, and I think they [the students] develop some important life skills this way. " [17:00-17:10] Beth Topinka

"I want the students to see that what we do in our lab is very closely linked to what they'll be doing in real life careers, and that there's some really neat and interesting opportunities available related to the STEAM fields." [34:55-35:10] Beth Topinka

Links

• Follow Beth on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BTopink

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  5TH GRADE STORM SURGE BARRIER DESIGN CHALLENGE

  Helicopter news footage image is attached. Notice the staircase! 

  Video: https://6abc.com/weather/aerial-video-shows-flooding-damage-at-jersey-shore/1172941/

  (Scroll down to Beach Haven Inlet video) 

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  Engineering Notebook with Design Brief

  https://docs.google.com/document/d/19s_DPRIqFjZNh2ESk_ehkUvb9Oj4FdjxT0XJRhysz5Y/edit?usp=sharing  

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  Classroom ELA connection :

• Coastal Towns Worry About Storm January 7, 2020 7:25 AM ET  Heard on Morning Edition

  https://www.npr.org/2020/01/07/794161450/coastal-towns-worry-about-storm-surges-damaging-tourist-sites 

• “Venice is Drowning” 60 Minutes January 12, 2020

  https://www.cbsnews.com/video/climate-change-blamed-for-higher-tides-creating-uncertainty-for-venices-canals-60-minutes-2020-01-12/ 

  3RD GRADE FRAGILE FOSSIL PACKAGING CHALLENGE

• Fossil Hunting in the Gobi: Shelf Life 360  (Central Asiatic Expedition video)

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDdqd8c_-hY 

  Same video "purified" with viewpure app to avoid YouTube's margin thumbnail distraction: http://www.viewpure.com/HDdqd8c_-hY?start=0&end=0  

   

• Engineer Notebook with Design Brief: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_ZSsLu0q64QgQbr-kEuychTUdr5ASmwZNmgBAvSbDmw/edit?usp=sharing 

   

  Image of our clay "fossil" is attached and some photos of 3rd grade solutions

  

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