As part of the first grade sound science unit, Sea Cliff students worked through the steps of the engineering design process to create their own instruments from recycled materials in the S.T.E.A.M. Lab. After first investigating how common instruments vibrate to make sounds, engineers explored the generous collection of recycled materials donated by the Sea Cliff School community and considered the different sounds these materials could make.
Before building their innovations, students took time to plan their instruments, communicating their ideas through sketches and sharing their designs with peers. Once constructed, students drew detailed diagrams of their instruments and used their scientific understanding of sound to explain what part or parts of the instruments vibrate. To celebrate their efforts as scientists and engineers, all first graders then marched through the hallways of Sea Cliff School, playing their recycled instruments during the annual S.T.E.A.M. parade to the joy of cheering peers, faculty members, administrators, and Principal Christopher Zublionis.
S.T.E.A.M. teacher, Adrien Kaye said, “While this engineering experience enriched and extended the sound science unit, it also supported the district’s emphasis on recycling and the importance of teaching our students to be thoughtful consumers and responsible citizens. The S.T.E.A.M. parade was a chance for our first grade engineers to communicate this message with the entire school community and to show all students and teachers what is possible with a commitment to conservation, hard work, and ingenuity.”
