Hamilton Avenue School recently held its STEAM Day featuring a performance from “Bash the Trash.”
Over the past few months, students in grades K-5 completed a problem-based learning activity by selecting a topic of interest within a specific STEAM framework.
The young scholars researched, reflected, created, designed, and are preparing to share and present their discoveries at a STEAM Challenge using a display method of their choice.
Each grade level focused on a different theme. K & 1 – “How Things Work” Create a collection and explore how items in your collection work. Grades 2 & 3 – STEAM Creations. Research an invention, design, or creation and build a model. Grades 4 & 5 – Real World Problems/Phenomenons. Children conducted an investigation or design a challenge to propose an answer to a question or create a solution to a real-world problem. Students were also invited to come up with their own ideas to learn something of interest.
The unit culminated with an event where students presented their learning to friends and families in a series of assemblies.
During the STEAM Challenge, students were also treated to the performance by Bash the Trash who made musical instruments out of recycled materials.
Bash the Trash performance at Hamilton Avenue School, the culmination of a STEAM unit. Photo Tabitha Bodian
Percussion instruments included an empty coffee can that became a Maraca. A metal pipe and a series of plastic tubes and an empty water cooler jug all were transformed into percussion instruments. Woodwind instruments included tubes taped together to become pan flutes. An empty plastic bottle filled with water became a flute, and as water was sipped away, the pitch became lower and lower. And the String family of instruments started conveniently with a rubber band.
Other STEAM learning experiences included building roller coasters with the Bruce Museum, visiting the school’s Star Lab, and building cloud finders.
The Bash the Trash program presentation took all sorts of items from typically found in the kitchen and transformed them into musical instruments. Photo: Tabitha Bodian
Children enjoying a presentation from “Bash the Trash.” Photo: Tabitha Bodian
The inflatable Starlab planetarium was another featured activity. According to ALP teacher Darlene Angotto, the district owns three of them. Once inflated, children can enter and see the night sky and constellations projected above.
Images projected inside the inflatable planetarium. Contributed photo: Darlene Angotto
Images projected inside the inflatable planetarium. Contributed photo: Darlene Angotto
Images projected inside the inflatable planetarium. Contributed photo: Darlene Angotto
Images projected inside the inflatable planetarium. Contributed photo: Darlene Angotto