Lego Robotics
Students will design and program a robot, using Lego’s Mindstorm Kit. The kit allows students to build models of embedded systems, or special purpose programs. The Lego technology allows kidsto experience the nexus of computer programming and engineering. The kids will have to create and program the bots to accomplish simple tasks, such as picking up an object, following a path, or competing in a tug of war.
Filmmaking
Students will participate in the five principal stages of filmmaking; development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution. Participants will be allowed a small budget and will have to develop and adhere to a timeline to ensure that they meet their ultimate goal of distribution. The class schedule determines how much time can
be devoted to each module. Emphasis can be placed in Visual/Performance Arts, Mathematics, Teamwork, or English Language Arts.
Crime Scene Investigation
Developed to introduce gifted and talented students to future career and subject matter related to collegiate science. Coursework includes elements of criminalistics, forensic entomology, forensic dentistry, and forms of reasoning. Students will participate in form casting, fingerprint analysis, DNA modeling, and evidence collection.
Anatomy of Rock
We were doing it long before the movie. “Anatomy of Rock” allows students access to concepts of musical, composition, improvisation, cognition, and education. Along with broadening their conceptual understanding, students will have the opportunity to explore different musical instruments and creating music as a group. Ear plugs are provided.
Toy Laboratory
Students will take their novel toy idea from the drawing board (literally) through production to marketing. Development includes drawing, model making, material selection, and package design. Examples of successful and not-so-successful endeavors will pave the way for their inventions.
Re-Naturization (for lack of a better name)
“It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one’s sum of happiness if he or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder-book of nature.” –Theodore Roosevelt
The lack of un-structured outdoor play has been cited as a cause of anxiety, depression, hyper-activity, and obesity in children. Re-Naturization is an introduction to our natural world utilizing, biological sciences, survival skills, GPS technology, and natural spaces. Students will learn about common dangers, orienteering, basic first aid, and local flora and fauna in an effort to empower future exploration.
Food Chemistry
Increase pressure via heating to 135 psi, at which point the breaking point of the hull is reached causing and explosion of proteins and starch. Add salt and melted butter and enjoy during a movie. Food chemistry is the study of chemical processes of biological substances that are dead or dying. It is similar to biochemistry in its main components such as carbohydrates, lipids, and protein, but it also includes areas such as water, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, food additives, flavors, and colors. Students will explore eukaryotic microorganisms (yeasts), salt’s role in super cooling ice cream, the Maillard Reaction (what makes toast tasty) , enzymatic functions, and the importance of water and its properties in food.
Reptiles (Biological Science)
It’s a lot easier to learn biology when the biological part is staring back at you. The ECO Station will supply various living reptiles from all over the world, where you can explore their anatomical systems and make connections all the way back to Hylonomus, the earliest know reptile. “Reptiles” was designed to introduce students to elements of zoology, specifically comparative anatomy.
Health and Fitness
“Education Code Section 51210 requires 200 minutes of physical education instruction every ten school days for students in grades one through six.”
-Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools
STAR Education has designed Physical Education modules to empower children and their teachers with the skills necessary to facilitate fun and effective physical education. Teachers are provided physical education curriculum designed by STAR with dozens of executable activities that address the five overarching model content standards. The themed modules, “Teamwork: Forming-Storming- Norming-Performing” and “Diet: Get that out of your mouth!”, address specific social problems evident in schools today and can be taken in combination or singularly. These two approaches are meant to be a spring board for all involved, challenging students and teachers to maximize every one of those 200 minutes.
ZOME
What is Zome?
“Zome is a construction toy for kids, that is also used by school teachers and advanced research scientists. The main part of the system is a spherical plastic connector node (ball) with 62 geometric holes. The nodes are connected to each other with shape- and color-coded plastic struts (sticks). The angles and strut lengths are mathematically precise and enable users to build thousands of geometric structures.”
- ZOMETOOL Inc.
STAR Education partnered early on with Zometool Inc to provide students with access to Zome, and more importantly the vast standards-based curriculum that accompanies it. Zome allows students to visualize complex concepts in mathematics, physical science, and even language arts. Though we do many “Zome Nights” and other one-day events, Zome can be integrated into an entire school year paced with curriculum to reinforce what a child is learning.
Contact Ryan Donahue at 916.632.8347 for more information
