You have heard of STEM and STEAM but have you heard of STR2EAM. STR2EAM stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. For years in early childhood, we as educators have covered some of the above educational topics but I wonder have we done justice with our future generation. As we look to the future, we should discover ways to send the whole child to elementary school. We can do this...if we understand how to incorporate STR2EAM into our early childhood classrooms.
In this Blog, I would like to share my book, "Shelbo's Adventures in Science Natural Light and Man-made Light." As I share about the creation and inspiration behind my book, I will also give you lesson extensions for your classroom setting. We will also explore products from local educational vendors for you to use as a welcome addition to my book.
Shelbo's Adventures in Science Natural Light and Man-made Light is a story about Shelbo, her friend Jax, her trusty cat Luna, and her friend Sarah the Scientist. This story is a rhyming story written to motivate children to believe in themselves and to possibly pursue a career as a scientific engineer. As we begin our journey with Shelbo and her friends, Shelbo is pondering on the different forms of natural light and man-made light. She begins the story by sharing that God created natural light with a heart filled with love. She imagines God's large loving hands holding a heart. During Shelbo's adventure, she discovers that the sun, stars, fire, lightning, fireflies, and jelly fish are some of the natural light sources created by God.
Shelbo's adventure leads her to discover man-made lights in the form of light bulbs, flashlights, lamps, neon signs, televisions, and laser pointers to name a few. At one point Shelbo see's a robot with a light at the top of his head. She screams, " I want that, oh boy… oh boy! However, Shelbo convinces Jax her friend to enter a Science Fair with her to create the robot with the light on top. They end up becoming scientific finalists. If children are encouraged they can become anything that they want to be.
Light Lesson Extensions
This video discusses different sources of light and the absence of light. Would you like to live in the dark? Shelbo doesn't know what she would do without natural and man-made light sources.
Flashlights can be used for a variety of lesson extension activities. Shelbo would love to incorporate as many STR2EAM concepts as possible in the educational experience. Each STR2EAM concepts will be addressed with this man-made light source.
Science: The science of light can be discovered by using a flashlight. Turn out all the lights in your classroom and talk about the science of light. Without light the world would be dark. Light moves at the fastest speed in our universe. Allow the children to turn on their flashlights. Observe the changes in the room. Add that the sunlight keeps us warm. It also helps plants grow and gives us as humans energy in the form of Vitamin D.
Technology and Engineering: The flashlight was designed to help us see in the dark. Did you know that a flashlight is a portable hand-held torch? It contains an incandescent light source in the form of a tiny bulb. The first flashlight was made by Ann Makosinski and Conrad Hubert.
Reading and Religion: Teaching light starts with the Bible story located in Genesis (King James Version) And God said, Let there be light: and there was light Genesis 1:3. After teaching this scripture, place the children's names around the room. Give all of your children a flashlight. Tell them that you will be turning out the lights. There adventure is to find their name utilizing the flashlight. Turn out your classroom lights and allow the adventure to begin.
Art and Mathematics: Painting in your classroom should be a daily occurrence. Teaching children to lighten or darken colors that they paint with can be a cool experience. Begin this experiment by using the 3 primary colors of red, blue, and yellow. You will also need some black paint and white paint. Allow the children to mix two drops of white or black paint into each one of the 3 primary colors of red, blue, and yellow. Have the children paint two different pictures. One that is a daylight picture and one that is a night picture. Allow the children to compare their works of art.
Resources to Increase your Light Knowledge