STEAM falls under the umbrella of inquiry instruction. Inquiry instruction encourages active (often hands-on) experiences that support building understanding and vocabulary, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and reflection. MaKr U provides hands-on experiences through emerging technologies and readily available materials to promote joyful learning.
Science helps children develop key life skills, including an ability to communicate, remain organized and focused, and even form their own opinions based on observation. Science also helps children develop their senses and overall awareness. We support Science standards in many ways. We have learners design and build different types of circuits and use that knowledge to integrate into projects, such as Pizza box circuits. Our early learners work with SnapCircuits and littleBits to gain prior knowledge. We use drones to build on basic aerodynamic concepts. Learners can develop articulated hands to understand how Science connects to medical improvements and inventions.
Technology often presents children with problems, and helps them learn how to make decisions and solve those problems. Games and apps on tablets or smartphones can help give children the practice they need to find success down the road. Technology is infused in all aspects of the MaKr U experience. We utilize tablets, Chromebooks, Sphero Robots, Ozobots, Osmo, cameras, Electronic Instruments, Arduino, Raspberry Pi and Microbits. Coding has become the universal language and as such, MaKr U relies on tools that allow for development of coding skills for the non reader to the skilled Java Script user.
“Kids’ imaginations and creativity are the best. If you introduce engineering concepts and learning in K-12, you keep them thinking creatively and believing that they can solve problems. If you add math, physics, chemistry, structures and circuits to an idea, it’s beyond ‘magic.”
Practice in Engineering at all levels garners five basic results:
Ask—to identify the problem and others’ solutions Imagine—to brainstorm and select a solution to test Plan—to specify the design and materials Create—to make and test a model Improve—to ask how the design can be even better and start the cycle again
MaKr U has multiple activities that allow for the design process to occur. Students might explore the hand and develop a working (articulated) hand, build a cardboard structure, design a new type of drone or find a better way to complete a circuit.
Artistic activities foster intellectual development and some of their benefits are: Stimulates both sides of the brain. Increases the capacity of memory, attention and concentration. Helps develop reading skills and children do better in math and science. Many of our learners enjoy learning about art and music. We use technology and unique materials paired with coding to inspire painting with Spheros, pendulum painting, and using heat guns to create art. Our use of MakeyMakeys lets learners design and create music projects. We use SpecDrums and Loog guitars to experiment with sound. Our young learners design and build pan flutes.
Math is important and it’s important to help young children develop their mathematical thinking. A child’s math knowledge at the start of kindergarten predicts later academic achievement better than early reading or attention skills.Math is part of everything we do. Learners have to measure, calculate, calibrate, guess and test, and use that information to develop iterations in every project.