Current PBL+STEAM Projects
Previous Projects
PBL Spotlight: Creating Geotechnology in Partnership with Georgia Tech
This year, our 7th graders are examining how they can impact biological systems by merging disciplines of art, science, economics, and engineering. Students designed their piece of geotechnology based on root structures found in nature. Using materials like lightweight plastic, students designed sculptures on Tinkercad software. Our Drew Eagles took advantage of technology like 3-D printers to make their designs at Georgia Tech. They took a variety of factors such as cost of production, and possible materials into account. Students then tested their designs in a Georgia Tech lab and determined methods for improving their designs.
STEAM Components
S-Designs inspired from root systems in nature
T- 3-D printing used to produce models- Helped understanding of mechanical design
E- Designing 3-D models of construction geotechnologies
A- Contemporary artistic method- Tinkercad used to create design
M- Economics of design, scale, converting 2-D drawings to 3-D models.
PBL Spotlight: Using Art and Language to Understand Illness
For their third quarter project, Drew's 7th graders discussed how they could effectively spread awareness about prevalent illnesses in their community. Students looked at artists' renderings of personal experiences with mental illnesses like Depression and Schizophrenia. They talked about how art could convey experiences like mental illness. Our Drew Eagles then used art and descriptive language to create poster presentations about mental illnesses relevant in their community.
STEAM Components
S- Understanding types and causes of illness
T- Utilizing technology to create print materials about illness
E- Designing and building models and activities to demonstrate causes and effects of illness
A- Creating visual arts pieces that convey experiences with illness
M- Analyzing statistics associated with illness
T- Utilizing technology to create print materials about illness
E- Designing and building models and activities to demonstrate causes and effects of illness
A- Creating visual arts pieces that convey experiences with illness
M- Analyzing statistics associated with illness
