Students in Mrs. Ponzi’s STEAM classroom at McNulty Academy recently participated in hands-on projects designed to build critical thinking and problem-solving skills through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
Younger students explored the effect of ramp design on motion by experimenting with different materials. They tested which ramps allowed cars to travel faster or slower and discussed the reasons behind those results.
Older students took on a more advanced challenge: designing ramps that would bring cars to a stop within three to six inches from the edge of their tables. This required multiple rounds of testing and adjustments, allowing students to apply engineering design principles such as iteration, measurement and refinement.
Projects such as these reflect the district’s ongoing emphasis on providing students with opportunities to engage in STEAM learning. By encouraging students to experiment, analyze results and adjust their designs, GASD prepares learners to build skills that connect classroom concepts to real-world applications.