Recycle, Reuse, and Create
Our fifth graders just wrapped up an engineering project called “Recycle, Reuse, and Create,” a collaborative effort created by Middle School science teachers Heather Palladino, Pierre de St. Croix, and Donna Minafra. In teams of two, students came up with crafty inventions and created their own prototypes using everyday materials.
But the design was only half of the fun--from there, students filmed commercials promoting their inventions and explaining to potential customers what made their products unique. Enter the broadcasting suite: the fifth graders filmed their commercials using the lights and props provided along with their own scripts and “stunts” (because every commercial needs flying pencil cases!).
The end result? Some off-the-charts creativity and joyful learning. Through this project, students were able to combine so many of the skills they learn in all of their classes, from concrete abilities like science engineering design, writing, and media production, to more transferable skills such as communication, problem solving, and collaboration. “Recycle, Reuse, and Create” is just another example of how Sacred Heart teachers reflect Goal II by cultivating intellectual curiosity and a dynamic curriculum in order to instill a life-long love of learning in their students--and have fun while doing it!