Elmont Union Free School District

Stewart Manor School’s fifth and sixth grade scholars are learning to think like engineers and scientists as they dive headfirst into the exciting world of STEAM. This new, districtwide STEAM program for grades 5-6 is sparking creativity, collaboration and a love for learning as scholars explore science, technology, engineering, art and math in dynamic, hands-on ways.     

  The STEAM program, offered once weekly to each fifth and sixth grade class, is designed to equip Elmont scholars with 21st-century skills and inspire them to explore future career pathways in an ever-evolving world.

During the lesson on Sept. 12 with STEAM teacher Grace Lipponer, Stewart Manor’s sixth graders learned about the engineering design process: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Experiment and Improve. They discussed famous structures, such as the Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building, and what makes them sturdy. The scholars were then tasked to work with their teammates to build the tallest free-standing tower using only toothpicks and mini marshmallows. The activity emphasized principles of structural design, stability and time management, as teams worked within the constraints of a 10-minute limit. With smiles and focused determination, students experimented with different load-bearing techniques and geometric configurations. At the conclusion of the timed challenge, Ms. Lipponer evaluated each structure, carefully measuring tower height to determine the results.

As part of the engineering design process, the sixth graders reflected on their work by writing down changes they could make to improve their design.