3rd Grade Solar Ovens

West Fannin’s third grade teachers Mrs. Grubb and Mrs. Shinpaugh are doing things a little differently this year. Their new schedule allows for a STEM block where they can co-teach science and math. By integrating science and math, students can make better connections between the two subjects. The integration of the two subjects also helps students see the relevance of mathematics. Recently, students used what they have learned this year in their science and math units to construct solar ovens from pizza boxes. The students worked in groups to plan and build their designs. The students had to measure lengths, measure angles, and record the measurements in their STEM journals.  After they constructed their solar ovens, they went outside to test them by cooking S’mores. The students gathered all the data and shared their successes and failures with one another. The students then received new pizza boxes in an attempt to improve their solar ovens after analyzing the data.  Making data-based improvements is a vital part to the STEM Engineering Design Loop.  Our third graders loved this STEM project. What a creative way to integrate science and math.