Polaris NASA



NASA grant provides opportunity for 5th graders to participate in STEM engineering design challenge “Keep it Cool” 

Students at Polaris joined engineers from the Glenn Science Center Cryogenics Lab in Cleveland to work on the problem of keeping their hydrogen fuel tank cool on the way to the moon and then to Mars.

They collaborated with subject matter experts by livestream who provided background knowledge and feedback in the design loop. Students worked within their teams to design and build a working structure, calibrate ice, test their design, record and graph their data, and make improvements. The week wrapped up with a final “Shark Tank” style presentation to a board of investors who will award a multimillion-dollar contract. 

Tree’s growing STEM program allows students to work in PBL (Problem Based Learning) teams, beginning at the elementary grade level. Through the use of PBL, students understand the need for content they are learning in the classroom; skills such as 4-digit multiplication and knowing the rules of phonics become tools that have an immediate purpose in the STEM lab.

The STEM and PBL teaching model at the Polaris campus has had phenomenal success in the past couple of years, and the program will continue to grow at the Clintonville and Dublin campuses. At Northridge, STEM classes continue to expand for middle and high school as Tree graduates students who are ready for the 21st century.







Popular posts from this blog

Teaching Children to Be Humbly Grateful

Image
  by Carolyn Sherrod The Thanksgiving and Christmas season is upon us and we are reminded of our need to teach our children the virtue of gratitude. A few years ago, at a Thanksgiving celebration, our church’s children’s choir sang a song about gratitude. Using a play on words, the title itself spoke a clear message, “Are You Humbly Grateful, or Grumbly Hateful?” The lyrics of the chorus asked: Are you humbly grateful, or grumbly hateful? What’s your attitude? Do you grumble and groan or let it be known you’re grateful for all God’s done for you? Which one are you? Which one are you? Let’s face it! We all have known both adults and children who fit into either of these categories. Perhaps you resonate with the question, “which one are you?” We all would want to be known as being humbly grateful, and that we are raising our children to be humbly grateful. But instead, another kind of pandemic is currently sweeping our culture - a lack of thankfulness, a sense of entitlement, and an unhe
Read more

Leaving a Legacy

Image
As seniors around the country complete their final year of high school, a common theme that will be repeated is “finishing well.” Students are encouraged to keep up their academic endeavors - focusing on completing those final few presentations, essays, and exams.    Tree of Life, finishing well means more than academic achievement, however. It is about leaving a legacy. Our seniors become part of the history and the essence of who we are as a school. End of year events, such as Senior Chapel and Treasure up and Ponder, give the graduating class a chance to leave a legacy of faith through worship, testimonies, and thankfulness. Since 2005, seniors have also physically left their mark on the high school in the form of  “legacy prints.” Students’ handprints are preserved and displayed in the hallways for years to come. These are a reminder of the lasting impression that each class has made on this school. Our prayer, however, is that legacy will go both ways. During the final few weeks o
Read more

7 Places in central Ohio to reconnect with nature over spring break

Image
7 Places in central Ohio to reconnect with nature this spring Looking for something to do over spring break? Why not spend some time reconnecting with the great outdoors? Children need time outdoors not only for physical exercise, but to exercise their creativity, their wonder, and their appreciation for the world God has created. Central Ohio has some wonderful areas to spend time outdoors. 1. HOCKING HILLS STATE PARK     Hocking Hills State Park is considered on of the most beautiful natural areas in the Midwest. With eight unique areas to explore, there are endless opportunities  reconnect with nature.  Tip: Ash Cave provides a safe family friendly hike. Stay on the lower trail and even the youngest explorers can safely visit the largest recessed cave in Ohio. more information:  https://www.hockinghills.com/ 2. OTHER STATE PARKS Ohio has some fantastic state parks. Parks near Central Ohio include: Alum Creek State Park, Deer Creek State Park, and Mohican State Park. There are plenty
Read more