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2014 2014-STEAM

How Rube Goldberg Led Our 6th Graders to Pursue their Passions through STEM

Presenter: Leigh Zeitz
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
@zeitz

Presentation Description: Join Dr. Z in the journey 6th graders took into the Crazy World of Rube Goldberg. You will experience the fun they had developing complex chain reactions to accomplish simple tasks. Using a Problem-Based Learning format, these students explored physics while they built contraptions to drop a marble in a bucket, dip a chip in salsa, pop a balloon and even create a banana smoothie. Dr. Z shares how the inventors expressed their experiences through KidBlog and how these activities aligned with Common Core Standards in Science, Technology and Writing. It’s 20 minutes of fun and exploration into exciting ways to learn.

Link to presentation’s supporting documents:
http://tinyurl.com/Rube6thGradeResources

Additional Information:
Dr. Z Reflects – http://drzreflects.com

comments

  1. Rebecca M.

    How interesting! I think this would be an awesome way to integrate creative, hands-on projects for students. It encourages problem-solving and thinking outside the box. This would be awesome for reaching many different types of learners.

  2. Connie

    I am always amazed at the ingenuity of kids when they are exposed to Rube Goldberg. I think it is essential that we encourage kids to explore a passion no matter what the topic or activity, even if it not a complicated design.

  3. Heather H.

    I really think that our students need to think outside the box. They need to develop new ways to problem solve and work together.

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