2021 Virtual Learning: Gnome House Building Project

Due to the pandemic, the summers of 2020 and 2021 brought a virtual Soaring Stars Program. Home visits weekly to drop off curated project bags to our students and shelf-stable food to our families kept an in-person vibe to our summer.  Building projects continued in this format -- with a community twist in 2021!  Our students built gnome houses to be displayed and interacted with on the Genesee Valley Greenway.  Staff in video: Alyssa Cole '15, Mike Masetta '19, Sarah Hill Sone  '12/MSEd '16, Rob Hawley '12/MSEd '15, Sara Stafford, and Renee Smith. 

____

2017  Ramp Racing: A Study of Inclined Planes

Dr. Denise Battles, President of SUNY Geneseo, Visiting with Soaring Stars students during their Ramp Relays.  Photo by Keith Walters, SUNY Geneseo

Inclined planes, pulleys, levers, and marble tracks are popular building projects for the students in the Soaring Stars Program.  Students spend time building using a four-part process. First, they research information on the simple machine they are planning on using in their designs. They may explore websites, simulations, read texts, and take notes.  Then, they draw their design plan on paper, documenting their thought process. Next, the students program their design in Mine Craft.  Once available in the Mine Craft program for viewing, the students use ocular rift technology to take a three-dimensional tour of their model.  They look for possible design flaws and areas that might need improved design.  After the students document this information, they build their project's final version.

Airplane Project

During the Summer of 2013, several children expressed an interest in airplanes.  They became fascinated with planes and after reading and looking at books about planes decided to build one in the middle of a very large classroom!  Using all recycled materials, the students planned out their project by first drawing models from pictures they found on the internet and in books.  They then sifted through materials we had and worked collaboratively to solve problems and come up with solutions.  Some of the problems they had to solve were:

1. How do we make this look real and not flat?

2. Where do we put our fish tank? When I am a pilot, I want my fish with me in the cockpit!

3. Where do real pilots keep their planes?

The building team solved problem one by experimenting with building materials and paper. They built and rebuilt until their design was to their liking.    Problem two was easy - they building a stand out of cardboard for the fish bowl and placed it not to close to the steering wheel. Problem 3 required an expert - someone "In the know". So students were given the name of a local pilot who flies out of Dansville airport and his address.  The students composed their own letter and we mailed it at the post office. A wonderful replay and pictures of the pilot's plane in its hanger was received within a week!