Mableton Starbase 1.5 Club: Aerospace Engineers: 5th Grade is Blasting OFF for the 2015-2016 School Year

It's that time again here at Mableton Elementary School! I am one excited teacher to BLAST OFF again with our Starbase 1.5 Program. This year we are implementing a couple of different approaches with our aerospace engineering program. We are starting this year off by integrating a new aerospace engineering unit in my 5th Grade classroom. The students and I have been working hard to get the Starbase Lab moved and set up again. My 5th graders are anxious to use the computers AND the 3D printer, so I knew we had to get on it and set up our new lab. It is much smaller than our previous room, but it should work out just fine.

Our 5th Grade Starbase Class @ Dobbins Airforce Base

Our unit is called, "Space Volcanoes" and digs deep into connecting our 5th grade science curriculum to aerospace engineering. The students will jump into the roles of engineers and scientists as we simulate a real mission carried out by the Jet Propulsion Lab in California. I have really amped up the curriculum this year and including much more CAD design, math integration, and drone navigation. I cannot wait to see their faces when they realize they will actually learn how to fly and navigate drones just like real scientists and engineers to gather data. Our simulated mission will take us to other destinations in our solar system to gather data on space volcanoes to send back to scientist at NASA so we can relate them to volcanoes on Earth. In addition, students will step into an engineering role to design, create, and build rovers using our CAD program, and have the chance to print out rover tools with our 3D printer. It will be extremely fun to see students learn and grow as 21st century learners using this sophisticated technology.

Ready to Learn @ Starbase

Something new this year I am adding is the use of an online student portfolio application. It is called SeeSaw and a valuable tool for students and parents alike. Each student will keep on online portfolio stocked with photos, videos, sketches, papers, and assignments that we complete throughout the unit. Parents, in turn, can download the app and view their students work and our progress at anytime! What a great way to create the open communication between our school program and our parents. I highly recommend the application. At the end of the unit, students will be using their portfolio artifacts to create an oral presentation to showcase their learning for a final grade.

Our class listening to Volt

Another NEW thing that our Starbase 1.5 Program is please to announce is the collaboration of 2 new community partners! Our new program sponsors are SpaceWorks, LLC. and Terminal Velocity, LLC. two Altanta-based aerospace engineering companies. They will be visiting our students and speaking to them about their careers. Also, their engineers will be assisting students with the CAD programs on our Lab days.

We LOVED having cooperative groups called FLIGHTS @ Starbase

Well.... that pretty much brings everyone up to speed about what has been going on here at Mableton. I am seriously ready, excited, nervous, anxious, lucky, and thrilled to begin this crazy adventure ALL OVER AGAIN! I can't wait to see the wonderful things that my students create and build!