First grader Brantley Powers positions himself confidently atop a stationary bicycle, adjusts his posture to that of a Tour de France cyclist, and begins to pedal. Head down, momentum increasing, his eyes remain fixed on a small screen that begins to fill with red dots as his shoulders thrust back and forth with every stomp of the silver pedals. When, finally, red dots topped by green in a graph-like display, a gigantic inflatable character springs from the ground, dancing excitedly as if to celebrate the triumphant cyclist who gave it life. Amidst the cheers and claps of elated onlookers, students, teachers, and community guests discuss the science behind the energy-producing apparatus.
The bike generator was just one of ten hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics explorations that made up Eden Central School’s STEM in Motion Festival on November 6. The event, grant-funded and facilitated by the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, also included a paper rocket launcher, gym-length Lego racetrack, 12-foot wind wall, vertical tornado-like tunnel, spinning chairs, magnetic blocks, giant building blocks, and other engaging opportunities that allowed students to interact with key STEM learning concepts in action.
“My favorite part was the spinning chairs,” fifth grader Mae LaShomb said. “When I was spinning around, I was being pushed to the outside of the chair. I learned that this is called centrifugal force. I learned that there are limits. Too much force can make you fall out of the chair because it pushes you too hard.”
“The Lego cars were great because we got to build them and then race them, but then you could adjust them after to make them go faster,” fifth grader Jace Niles said. “I learned that the more weight you have going down the slope the more velocity it gains. Velocity is a combination of speed and direction.”
While working as scientists and engineers, students engaged in a variety of problem-solving and critical thinking activities that underscored the engineering design process, a series of systematic steps used to solve a real-world dilemma, including defining the problem, conducting research, brainstorming solutions, building a prototype, testing, and finally, refining the design.
“I loved seeing science concepts come to life for students,” Lamoille North Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Kim Hunt said. “There were so many wonderful experiences happening. Students building Lego cars to see how far they would go; participants cheering as students use a bike to generate electricity; teams of students working together to find the structure that would allow them to build the highest tower. Hands-on experiences like these allow students to problem-solve, negotiate, and analyze. Such important skills for the classroom and life.”
Students and teachers alike appreciated the fusion of engaging explorations and essential learning. Each learning opportunity is carefully designed to align with the Next Generation Science Standards and other core teaching and learning concepts.
“This event allowed students and staff to come together with the common goal of having fun while learning,” second-grade teacher Allison Hurlburt said. “The hands-on engagement brought a new level of learning to my class. Events like this open students’ eyes to what is possible, and they are even more excited to complete STEM activities back in the classroom.”
According to School Counselor Heidi Fortin, in addition to academic pursuits, events such as STEM in Motion also provide essential opportunities for students to learn and practice social-emotional skills, including self-awareness, emotional regulation, and problem-solving.
“Offering students intentional opportunities, through facilitated play such as at the STEM Festival, to build connections and foundational interpersonal, relational, and social skills, is so important. They truly become the skills on which our students will rely as they navigate life.”
“STEM activities provide the perfect opportunity for students to practice teamwork,” Hurlburt said. “At the end of the day, my goal is to create a fun and fully engaging learning environment where students feel safe working together and taking risks. STEM is a great platform for that. The activities are so much fun that any risk students may feel is minimal. The STEM Festival is a great reminder of that.”
Each preschool through sixth-grade classroom rotated through the Festival, which was supported by two educators from the ECHO Center. Students and staff were joined by many community members, families, and caregivers.
An additional goal of the traveling event is to increase access to the ECHO Center’s resources for communities that might not otherwise make their way to the Burlington-based facility.
“It was so wonderful to see this event brought to Eden because our students don’t often get the chance to go all the way to Burlington for things like this,” Mathematics Interventionist Meghann Oquendo said. “ECHO is over an hour away for families who live here, and that can be a barrier. It was amazing to see students getting a taste of what ECHO has to offer.”
“It was so much fun that I almost forgot that I was learning a lot,” fourth grader Owen Gates said. “I feel smarter going out into the world because I did all of these things. I feel like I can easily tackle some problems that might have stumped me before, but not now.”