It's SEV (Space Exploration Vehicle) Time Again

One of the highlights of the school year for 3rd grader students is the study of "Space". Under the expert direction of our 3rd grade science teacher Ms. Warner, students spend almost the whole second semester learning, researching, writing, planning, designing, creating, things that have to do with space. The culmination of the unit is the creation of their SEVs...space exploration vehicles.

After the students research and make a poster of a planet, star, solar system, space anomaly, scientist, astronaut, etc., they start planning and designing their SEV. If they researched a place to visit, then their SEV has to visit that place. If they picked a person to research, then they pick a place their SEV can visit. From their, students follow the design process to imagine and plan their SEV.

This year, part of the research process included using AR (Augmented Reality). Mike Fricano from the Educational Technology Integration Specialist, introduced the students to "Spacecraft 3D" an app from the NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. This app allowed the student to look and manipulate actual SEVs on their iPads.

 Next the students go through a collection of recyclables and the creating starts.

Once the SEVs are done, they are given a spray of paint. Next piece of old electronics can be added thanks to the "Take-apart Club" that takes apart old computers, printers, etc. After that, some of the SEVs are connected to the computer via a MakeyMakey. The students write an interactive program using Scratch and the whole project gets put on display in the Lower School Library.

We are once again this year going to have some of these talented, creative 3rd graders display their SEVs at this summers Mini Maker Faire on June 23rd here at 'Iolani in the Sullivan Center For Innovation and Leadership between noon and 5pm. If you are in the Honolulu area, please come over and see them in person.