STEM Blog

Say Hello to SLS Cube our first 3-D printer provided by a grant from the Archdiocese of Baltimore!

Today some of our 8th grade students completed a Discovery Education Lab called Massive Motion. We challenged them to design and carry out an experiment to determine if mass affects the average rate of fall of an object due to gravity. Using wiffle balls, tennis balls and balls made of clay, the students dropped them from various heights comparing their rate of fall. Power Point and Google Slide projects are next so that each group can communicate their findings! Best of all -- We had a TON of fun!!!

While our students have a day off from school, our dedicated teachers spent the day collaborating and learning as part of the DEN Ambassador Program.  They explored the SOS Strategies and the flipped classroom then broke into groups to put them to the test.  It was an awesome day and we look forward to the next DEN Ambassador training!

What are the engineering concepts behind the tallest building in the world? How was the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai designed to achieve its height and current status as the world’s tallest building? Seventh Grade students at St. Louis School had the opportunity to investigate these concepts under the guidance of Mt. St. Joseph High School (MSJ) students and Mrs. Beth Czyryka, a SLS parent and MSJ Chemistry teacher. The students were challenged to plan and design a structure that would simultaneously be as tall as possible, stand freely and hold a tennis ball for 30 seconds. The students were organized into teams, and each team received five manila folders and a meter of duct tape to complete the challenge. At the conclusion of the challenge it was clear that the successful structures resembled the designs of tall buildings in the real world. We want to thank Mt. St. Joseph High School and Mrs. Czyryka in particular for her continued support of the SLS Science and STEM program.

Members of the St. Louis School’s First LEGO League (FLL) had the opportunity to participate in the USA Science and Engineering Festival X-STEM Symposium at the Washington Convention Center last week. Inspirational talks by scientists, physicians and inventors gave our students insight into how pursing your passion can help lead you to the future you desire. Team members also had a special opportunity to hear Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway and founder of FIRST (…as in First Lego League!) The final presentation of the day was from a 19-year-old inventor, Easton LaChappelle, who shared how he created a prosthetic arm using his home computer and a 3D printer. The recurring message throughout the day was to stay curious and pursue your passions!