Chanukah STEM in ECD and LS
During the week of Chanukah, Yavneh’s technology department brought some tech magic to our students. In kindergarten, the students created their own Macy’s Thanksgiving Day balloons. These were then attached to small robots called Ozobots to form our very own miniature version of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There was as much excitement in the classroom as there was at the actual parade as the children watched their “balloons” parade around a track.
The versatile Ozobots were also used in first, second, and third grades to introduce the concept of coding. The Ozobot uses a special sensor to detect color combination codes. Each combination instructs the robot to perform a different task. The students used codes comprised of color combinations to instruct their Ozobots to spin and dance as they simulated dreidels.
First grade also experienced a Chanukah “Breakout” (similar to Escape the Room) where they solved clues about Chanukah to open a locked box. There was a super surprise inside the box!
In fourth grade, the students explored electrical circuitry using Snap Circuits to turn on lights, activate motors, and play music.
In fifth grade, the students discussed how the explorers of old navigated the seas without the aid of a GPS. They then built their own sextants which they can use to determine their latitude anywhere in the northern hemisphere.
Finally, the fourth and fifth grade STEM elective students continued their exploration of electrical circuitry by building either Chanukiyot or magic “Harry Potter” wands that light up at the press of a switch.
All in all, Chanukah and tech are a great combination!
