NOETIC Math Challenge Class Winners

 The Noetic Math Challenge is an activity that students participate in two times a year here at West Elementary.  This Mathematical challenge is used all over the United States; it includes over 26,000 of the top math students over 533 schools and 43 states.  Our kids did an excellent job this year and over half of them earned the National Honorable Mention Ribbons.  This is given to students that place in the top 50% of all the students taking the test.  GREAT JOB everyone, especially Jacob, Dexter, Memphis and Enman who were the class winners at West Elementary.

              

       

 

Machines that WORK

 Students have developed some machines using gears and electric engines to mimic real world machines.  The productive struggle was tough at times for these mini-engineers, but when things lined up and their machines took off, it was all worth it!

Noetic Math Challenge

 Students at West Elementary have been working hard on challenging math problems for a couple of months.  Students work individually and in small groups to complete the tasks, often well above their grade levels.  Students will take a final test in late November along with students from all over the country.  You are doing great, can't wait to see the final scores!

LEGO Simple Machines

 They may be called "simple machines" but building them with Legos to be operational is another task!  These fourth graders have been working hard to make simple machines do different types of work around the classroom.  Students have learned that simple machines are used everyday in our lives and especially in the workforce around town.

ISU Girls STEM Conference

 Students from the Junior/Senior High School were able to attend the ISU Wise Girls STEM Conference earlier this month.  Students were able to hear a keynote speaker, along with 3 different sessions to attend to further their learning in the field of Science and Engineering.  The sessions were action packed and hands-ons, which made for a great learning environment.  

WInd-Powered Cars

 Some 5th Grade students have been busy designing and testing their wind powered car inventions.  Many different styles were created, and all improved on by the students.  This was a great project for these kids as they worked with the Scientific Method.

Spring NOETIC Math Challenge Class Winners

 Each spring and fall at West Elementary dozens of students accept the challenge of the Noetic Math Test. This test is problem based and students must use their knowledge to solve problems above their current grade levels.  This spring there were many great scores from all across the grades, the following students did so well they received a medal for being the Class Champion.  Congratulations to all students who worked hard on these tests and gave it their full attention.  

3rd Grade Champ: Eli                                 4th Grade Champ: Aubree

        

    

5th Grade Champ: Royce                              6th Grade Champ: Landon

6th Grade Math Bee

 A small group of 6th graders specializing in Math were invited to the State Math Bee presented by the Central Rivers AEA in Cedar Falls.  The students were selected to represent West Elementary due to their top level of Math scores on the ISASP and MAPS tests the past two years.  This group were among 154 students and 33 different teams from all over the state.  The highest placing students this group was Landon Halligan, he placed 2nd overall in the individual standings.  The team as a whole did a great job as well, placing 5th!  Two great acheivements in one day for the Math students of West Elementary.

5th Grade 3D Engineers

 A select group of 5th graders have been working hard on a 3D unit in ELP.  Their latest task was to build a 3D Insect that had moveable parts.  They utilized the online computer software from Tinkercad and made some unbelievable creatures.  Just look at what they created using the CAD program and the MakerBot 3D printer.  Amazing work students!

Bridge made of... Paper???

 A group of 3rd graders were amazed when they were introduced to their challenge.  They all knew that bridges were made of wood, steel, concrete and logs but when they were told they only have paper and the to use, many thought it could never be done.  Their teamwork and dedication paid off as all groups were able to construct a bridge using the unusual materials.  The structure not only had to look like a bridge, it had to function as one too.  It had to past a weight test (5 pound book), a car traveling over the bridge and a boat going under the bridge.  It took several tries for some students, but in the end they all learned a few things about construction and the Scientific Method.

Wind Powered Cars

Fifth Graders were recently greeted with a challenge of creating a wind powered car.  The goal was to create a vehicle using only paper, straws and tape to travel 15 feet.  The wind came from a box fan which allowed them to have a controlled testing area.  

They all did a great job of creating a unique project using the Scientific Method.