Washington Irving Intermediate School Introduces STEAM

Meghan Hak, previously the Technology Teacher’s Assistant at Washington Irving Intermediate School (WI), has taken on the new position of Computer Science & STEM Teacher. Ms. Hak is introducing STEAM programs based on the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning standards for students in grades 3-5.

Ms. Hak has been working with students on topics such as computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity & digital citizenship, and exploring the engineering design process, according to their prospective grade level. “The lessons are fun, interactive and are a mix of unplugged and device driven activities,” Ms. Hak said about the program.

Third graders are currently exploring the Cubelet modular robots, which is a completely unplugged activity. In this particular lesson, the students needed to build a functioning lighthouse model complete with a light that spins when it is dark. The lesson began with a discussion about what a lighthouse is and making connections to the lighthouse at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow. The students then built their own lighthouse with the modular blocks, working through various designs with their partner.

“It is a fun activity that at first the students are unsure of because they don't know what they are 'supposed' to do. As they explore, become more comfortable with the materials and share ideas with each other, it is impossible not to feel their excitement as they create a functional lighthouse model and show it off,” Ms. Hak said.

Fourth grade students have been working in groups on activities in the Lego Quirky Creations unit that focuses on improving the school environment. One group created a classroom setting where the LED light acts as the interactive board and they have it light up in line with audio they recorded into their program. Another group created a moving fan that uses two motors that allow the fan to roll around on its own while also spinning the fan blades.

“After getting used to the build and program aspects of the Lego program, it is really fun to see what the students create on their own when the only parameter is to create something for the school environment,” said Ms. Hak in awe of her students' hard work. “The students have really enjoyed these lessons and have had a great introduction to block coding by having to create programs that would allow their Lego builds to work.”

Meanwhile, Fifth grade students are working with the Micro:bits and the Finch robots to have their Finches joust (knock a ping pong ball off the top of a cup). The students set up the programming part of the activity where they have to figure out the distance from the starting point to where the cup is and then program their Finch robot to move forward and spin. The second part of this project is building the lance for the Finch and then testing whether the program they created is successful in knocking the ping pong ball off the cup. This project uses the engineering design process and allows students to create and debug their own code through trial and error. “It has been a really fun project where the students are able to test and improve their creations in real time,” said Ms. Hak. “It was challenging for them, but you could see the success they felt on their faces when they finally programmed their Finch to move in the way they wanted it to.”

These STEAM projects are just the beginning for the students at WI. Students will continue to build on what they learn through The New York State K12 Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards, which were adopted by the Board of Regents in December 2020. These standards focus on five key concepts: Impacts of Computing, Computational Thinking, Networks & System Design, Cybersecurity, and Digital Literacy. All of which, Ms. Hak hopes to touch on with her students.