STEM at Evoline C. West Elementary
The First South Fulton County State STEM Certified Elementary School
Related STEM Careers
Checkout the videos below to learn more about these STEM caeers.
5th Grade Partnerships
Thanks to all of our partners!
Students learning about microorganisms from the GABIE Bus.
Students learning about microorganisms from FCS Teaching Museum.
Interdisciplinary Connection
Students will watch a video about microorganisms, focusing on viruses and bacteria, then draw detailed illustrations of each type. They will write a summary of the video's key points, integrating science concepts with ELA skills in observation, comprehension, and writing.
Students will write a narrative story where a detective investigates and works to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms, using their understanding of microbiology. This creative writing activity integrates science concepts with narrative skills, as students craft a suspenseful plot while applying knowledge of health and hygiene.
Students will research microorganisms and their impact on health and the environment, gathering information to script and plan their podcast. They will then record and edit their podcast, integrating their science knowledge with communication skills to effectively share their findings with an audience.
Students will research and design brochures focused on preventing the spread of microorganisms, incorporating scientific facts about hygiene, vaccination, and sanitation practices. This project integrates science concepts with persuasive writing techniques, as students use clear, informative language and visuals to communicate their message effectively.
Research and Building Background Knowledge
Students viewed a video on microorganisms and recorded what they learned in their stem journal.
Students research microorganisms to formulate interview questions.
Community Impact
Community Impact Summary
Our 5th-grade STEM PBL project focused on the question, "How can we reduce the spread of harmful microorganisms in our local community?" Students explored the science of microorganisms, their role in health, and the societal impacts of COVID-19. They conducted a video interview with Mrs. Lawrence, a teacher at our school who was hospitalized with COVID-19 and featured in a news report. This firsthand perspective helped students understand the real-world consequences of harmful microorganisms. As a culminating activity, students created a podcast featuring Mrs. Lawrence as a guest, sharing her experiences and discussing strategies to reduce the spread of microorganisms.
Pretest results indicated a limited understanding of microorganisms, but post-test results are expected to show significant improvement, demonstrating students' increased knowledge and awareness of the topic.
Standards Addressed:
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Science Standards: Exploring the characteristics of microorganisms and their effects on humans and the environment (S5L4).
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Math Standards: Representing and interpreting data related to the spread of microorganisms and preventive measures (MGSE5.MD.2) and applying measurement concepts to support scientific findings (MGSE5.MD.1).
This project empowered students to connect STEM learning to real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and empathy. By amplifying community voices and sharing strategies for reducing the spread of microorganisms, students made a meaningful impact on public health awareness in their local community.