I am definitely a right brained girl! Science was always a difficult subject for me in school. I enjoyed the hands-on labs but most of the curriculum we were responsible for knowing, came from reading a Science textbook. I am a hands-on learner. I know this. That is why I enjoy LEGO Education WeDo so much. It is a great way to teach Physical Science to students.
- Examples of 4th Grade Next Generation Science Standards reached using WeDo (see full list below):
- CC 4-PS3-1 Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative measures of changes in the speed of an object or on any precise or quantitative definition of energy.]
- CC 4-PS3-2 Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include quantitative measurements of energy.]
- CC 4-PS3-4 Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another. * [Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include electric circuits that convert electrical energy into motion energy of a vehicle, light, or sound; and, a passive solar heater that converts light into heat. Examples of constraints could include the materials, cost, or time to design the device.] [Assessment Boundary: Devices should be limited to those that convert motion energy to electric energy or use stored energy to cause motion or produce light or sound.]
With students, we turned this STEM activity into a STEAM activity very easily by creating a storyline to go with the WeDo Sailboat Storm activity.
4th Grade Next Generation Science Standards
WeDo STEAM activity. Have students choose a YouTube video to play in background after WeDo activity is created. Have students create stories, plays, monologues, etc. to accompany the WeDo activity. Have fun! Learning by playing is fun.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world. ~Albert Einstein