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. 

 

Winter NOETIC Winners

The NOETIC MATH LEARNING CHALLENGE is a nation-wide program that provides challenging problems to over 750 schools throughout 47 states.  

The problems are not your ordinary math problems, they focus more on real life situations, logic, and general problem solving.  With these problems intertwined in the Iowa Core, it provides students things they are learning in the classroom while adding higher order thinking skills.  

It is very challenging for students, many mistakes are made and with that comes learning from each other and themselves for future problems.  Pictured are the 3rd-6th Grade Class Champions; Landon, Elizabeth, Angela, Lauren and Aiden.  Landon also earned National Honor Roll status, meaning that his score was in the top 10% of all the 36,000+ students who took the Noetic tests this fall throughout the country.