The NXT Challenge

Check out these future computer programmers - they are amazing!

Planet Oobleckian Challenge

All grade three students at CES recently completed part one of the Planet Oobleckia challenge where these young scientists determined that Oobleck does not act like a solid or a liquid. In fact, they learned that Oobleck has a unique set of rules because it is a Non-Newtonian fluid! Check back soon to see how they utilize this information on day two of the challenge!

Planet Oobleckia Day 1-

NASA has recently discovered a planet named Oobleckia. The planet appears to have an atmosphere  and terrain very similar to earth, except for its ocean, which is made up of a very strange substance names Oobleck. NASA would like to explore this planet and needs your help. Due to the mountainous terrain on the planet, the only surface area that appears flat enough to land a space ship is the ocean. Therefore NASA woulds like you to use your science inquiry skills to define the properties of the strange substance and decide if Oobleck is a liquid or a solid. 

Planet Oobleckia Day 2

Engineering Design Challenge

NASA has requested that you design a prototype of a space ship that can land on an ocean of Oobleck without sinking, take off without getting stuck, and carry a load of 6 astronauts.

  Criteria:

• The spaceship must fit freely inside the container, which means the sides of the prototype may not touch the sides of the container.
• The spaceship must support the weight of six astronauts (6 washers) for at least 1 minute without sinking.
•  Your space ship may not weigh more than 100 grams, fully loaded.
• The space ship must be able to take off without getting stuck in the Oobleck. Since the space ship only has enough power to exert 1 ½ newton’s of force during lift off, if your prototype requires more than 1 ½ newton’s of force, your space ship is considered “stuck.”
• Your prototype must be able to attach and detach easily to the spring scale.

  Constraints:

• You may use no more than 5 materials in your design.
• The astronauts may never come in contact with the Oobleck.
• The astronauts must be able to exit the spaceship easily so that they can explore the planet, therefore one face or side of the spaceship must remain open at all times.
• At no time during the test may you touch the spaceship. The only contact that can be made with the spaceship is the spring scale during takeoff and landing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Robotics at Crossroads Elementary!

The fourth and fifth grade students have recently built LEGO NXT robots and are now writing programs that allow their robots to accomplish some very tricky tasks. 

Balloon Powered Car Race

STEM Summer Opportunity

ATTENTION ALL CES 5th GRADERS-
Quantico Middle/High school will sponsor a summer STEM camp in June and has extended an invitation to all rising 6th graders. This looks like an amazing opportunity and I am sure that it will be a lot of fun. All fifth grade student received an application at school yesterday. If you are interested in attending, please return your completed application ASAP, as spots are limited!

Newton's Third Law of Motion visits STEM

What do launching marbles and balloon powered vehicles have in common? Newton's Third Law of Motion, of course. The fourth and fifth grade students at CES recently confirmed that  "every action has an equal and opposite reaction." During a recent visit to CES rooftop garden, students launched marbles and found that there was a direct correlation between the amount of force applied and the distance that the marble traveled. They applied this knowledge to their engineering challenge of designing and building a balloon powered vehicle. I bet Sir Issac Newton would have really enjoyed this STEM challenge!

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STEM Dog is ready for the Easter Bunny to visit!

An "EGG"citing Day

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you never had to worry about your eggs breaking accidentally?   The fourth grade students at BES worked as packaging engineers to design drop proof packaging for their eggs. Take a sneak peak as these young engineers test their packages.  I am sure the manager of the commissary would love to see their designs!

STEM and Read Across America

In honor of read across America, the BES students have been engaged in a variety of STEM challenges that tie in with some of their favorite fairy tales. Look out Big Bad Wolf - Little Red Riding Hood thinks she can outsmart you!

Have you seen a leprechaun lately?

Hi Boys and Girls-
Someone or something keeps stealing my dog toys and messing with my doggie bed. I think there is a leprechaun in my house. Please keep your eyes open for this sneaky little guy - I'm afraid that he may sneak into my mom's teaching bag and show up at BES unannounced. Take care.
Your friend,
STEMdog