MaKey-MaKey - STEAM Experience with Our Young Learners

Recently, Andy Robbins and I co-taught a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) lesson to our young learners using a tool called MaKey-Makey. In the coming month this lesson will be shared in all three buildings. Don't be surprised to see fruits, veggies and pie plates wired up! And by all means, if you have questions please ask Andy, Sue Remillard or me!

Water Bongo Drums

 

We connected the MaKey MaKey kit using wires and alligator clips to the computer and the pans of water. For the Fruit & Veggie Piano we connected to the fruits and veggies. In order to make a sound, students completed the circuit by holding one alligator clip and tapping the prop with the other hand.

I asked Andy to share a bit about the lesson. His synopsis below encapsulates what we did.

Our activity featuring water bongos and the fruit & veggie piano was so much fun! It was amazing to see the students experimenting with different ways of playing the instruments (such as playing the instruments with elbows rather than hands). Even though students were taking turns in pairs, the whole class was engaged in communication and collaboration, working as one. Students would encourage their friends as they had their turn at the instruments: "Try [this]" or "What would happen if you [did that]?" I love seeing this kind of curiosity and creativity in our students! The Makey Makey Board is just one way that students can exercise their innovative minds. The possibilities are endless!

There is a MaKey-MaKey kit in each building thanks to the Scarborough Education Foundation. Please inquire with me if you are interested in using it in your classroom. Here is an article, Gaining STEAM: Teaching Science Through Art from US News & World Report describing STEAM further. A resource in teaching STEAM concepts to primary students is the book, Tinkerlab - A Hands-on Guide for Little Inventors by Rachelle Doorley. We will soon have a copy of this book in the professional library in each school. Here is the link to her blog. She is also on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter if you are interested in some of the awesome things she does.