Every Wednesday the Challenge Lab is converted into the STEM Lab. STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering and Math. On those Thursdays, all classes, kindergarten-5th grade, take turns coming to the Lab for a 50 minute STEM lesson and challenge.
While the challenges change, the process is always the same. Students are taught and then practice the engineering design process which takes them through a 6 step creative problem solving process.
Step 1: Ask what the problem is.
Step 2: Imagine possible solutions.
Step 3: Plan a solution to the problem.
Step 4: Create a model of the solution.
Step 5: Improve the design to make it solve the problem better or differently.
Step 6: Communicate your results, what went wrong and right, what you'd improve with more time.
Another key component to the STEM Lab is learning and practicing the 21st century "soft skills", referred to as "The 4 C's."
1. Critical thinking: Students practice thinking about things in new ways by analyzing and comparing.
2. Communication: Students practice sharing their thoughts and ideas, as well as listening respectfully as others share their ideas.
3. Collaboration: Students work together with a single goal in mind, but sharing all the different roles within their group.
4. Creativity: Students use new approaches to solving the problem presented to them.