User:Club Pcr

What we do

We are a group of post-baccalaureates driven to bridge the gap in scientific knowledge in the communities in Montgomery County. We work with Linkage to Learning, a component of the local non-profit, EveryMind. This is a platform to organize and consolidate our tutoring and science outreach ideas.

Previous activities

Earth science
Computer Science
Geology
Biology
Chemistry
Physiology

Activity links

Activity name	STEM category	Materials	Description	Age Range	Weblink
Count the dots	Computer science	Provided in pdf (see description)	Number or word representation using a binary language (0, 1) [1]	7 and up	csunplugged
Color by numbers	Computer science	Provided in pdf (see description)	Image representation using number strings that highlight the position of pixels in the image space. Given a series of number strings, decipher the image. See [2]	7 and up	csunplugged
Lightest and heaviest	Computer science	8 equally sized containers (any kind) per group of kids; balance scale (or could estimate weight using hands if a balance scale is not available or too expensive)	Introduces children to sorting algorithms -- algorithms that order a set of objects; ways to optimize it by minimizing number of comparisons to be made. [3]	8 and up	csunplugged
Beat the clock!	Computer science	Outdoor activity- chalk, and printed card-cutouts: see pdf in description	Introduces children to network sorting algorithms with an outdoor game -- sorting a random string of numbers into increasing order see pdf: [4]	7 and up	csunplugged
The orange game	computer science	Marker to mark each child and each orange with a letter. Two oranges per child in group or can use any other object so long as there are enough for two to be given per child.	General problem solving / logical reasoning game: Both children and oranges are labeled with a letter from the alphabet -- each child [except for one] has two oranges labeled with the same letter as them. Group task: find way to get each of the labeled oranges to the corresponding child -- the one with the same label as the orange. Can only pass while following specific rules -- see [5]	9 and up	csunplugged
Building bridges	Engineering	1 cup containing 100 pennies. Per group of children: strips of tape, long strip of yarn, scissors, straws, 5 - 10 paperclips.	General problem solving/reasoning, creative thinking. Build a bridge strong enough to hold a cup with 100 pennies. See [6]	ages 5 - 8+	playdoghtoplato
Peep Catapults	Physics and engineering	Per group: 1 plastic spoon, 10 unsharpened pencils, 16 rubber bands, ruler or measuring stick, peeps or similarly-sized food object (gum drops, gummy bears, jelly beans)	Problem solving, physics concepts: potential and kinetic energy; rotational motion, lever, fulcrum. Task: build a catapult to launch peeps -marshmallows. See [7]	ages 5 - 8+	playdoughtoplato
Backyard archaeology	Archaeology	Trowel Whisk brush Strainer 4 wooden dowels Twine Notebook Assortment of everyday household items (see link for examples)	Exploratory, abductive reasoning. Task: dig and find what's hidden in the ground - determine potential uses for each discovered object. see [8]	ages 5 - 8+	playdoughtoplato
Building 3D molecules	Chemistry	Gumdrops, toothpicks, paper slips with molecule name + structure (tetrahedral, trigonal planar)	Puzzle-like problem solving adaptation from website. - give each group 5 slips of paper with the name + structure of a molecule. Ask them to construct it using toothpicks and gumdrops. See [9]	ages 5 - 8+	playdoughtoplato
Cloud in a jar	Chemistry/physics	matches or hairspray (any brand), hot water, ice. Per group - glass jar with lid.	Demonstration: physics: phase transitions. Task: condense the water vapor collecting in the jar to form a cloud. See [10]	ages 5 – 8	playdoughtoplato

Sample Lesson Plans

'***NOTE***

We now have an activity drive containing a list of successfully conducted lesson plans- these lessons were adapted from other online plans. The drive will be continually updated so please keep an eye open for new lessons!

Activity drive link [11]