Orin Smith Elementary School’s gymnasium was transformed into a hands-on adventure for students on Wednesday for the district’s Fifth-Grade Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Day.
While working in teams, fifth graders from all Chehalis elementary schools were challenged to design and build an air-powered magnetic levitation vehicle, or MagLev car for short. The magnetic bases cause the car to hover just above the tracks while large fans propel the car forward. Using only the materials provided, students tested different prototypes to determine the best design, with the goal of creating the fastest MagLev, according to a news release from the Chehalis School District.
The fifth-grade teams got to test their designs, get feedback from W.F. West STEM students then revise their constructions before going into the final test, where the team with the fastest MagLev was awarded with ribbons.
“STEM day is the best! It is so powerful for the fifth graders to hear from the high school students which STEM courses they are taking and what their career plan is after high school, including their college majors. Then watching our students work alongside the high school teachers and students to design their own MagLev vehicle and compete against others for a final test run, it just doesn’t get any better,” said fifth grade teacher Charly Enlow.
“The roar of students cheering their classmates on was heard around the building and was a sure sign that great things were happening,” stated the Chehalis School District in a news release.
Students were separated into three groups to encourage distance while they completed the activity. While one group completed the MagLev activity in the gym, the two other groups took part in other STEM activities in the classrooms. The groups rotated through the activities so all three groups had equal time with each activity.
“W.F. West teachers Krista Wilks, Gena Dalan, OSE teacher Charly Enlow and many other people ... made it a day filled with (STEM),” wrote the district. “While staff and students had grown weary over the last two years with remote learning and mask-wearing, teachers maintained hope they could host the annual STEM day event at (Orin Smith Elementary) once again. On March 30, their hope and planning paid off for all Chehalis fifth-grade students.”
