Waynesville
Elementary School students are getting an
out-of-this-world education.
First-graders in Sharon Farley's class underwent
the rigors of astronaut training to enhance
their math, science and literature skills.
During a
scaled-down version of space camp, Farley
created an array of simulations testing the
students' abilities to add, subtract and
predict.
"It's about
making learning more meaningful, to help them
have a deeper understanding," she said.
Farley's
goal was to develop activities that engage the
student's five senses to help them use
higher-level critical thinking skills.
"I try to
make the environment conducive to learning," she
said. "I love it; it's a lot of fun."
Students
learned about statistics as they piloted a
satellite through and asteroid belt.
Math skills
were put to the test as the children tossed a
lunar ball and created math equations using the
numbers their fingers landed on once they caught
it.
John
McCloud, 7, said the lesson taught him about
probability.
"I've
learned that when you throw up the ball, it
doesn't always land on the same numbers," he
said.
Comparison
of predictions to data was used in a variety of
ways: matching nuts and bolts during
three-minute intervals gauging manual dexterity,
landing a space shuttle on a landing pad and
catching marshmallows in their mouths.
The
first-graders also learned about the effects of
gravity by dropping items such as paper, a rock,
a ball and a bottle of sand, and clocking how
long it took the objects to hit the ground.
Launching marshmallows taught the children the
basics of thrust and motion.
The students
kept records of the successes and failures at
each center.
Garrett
Schroeder, 7, learned "the planets revolve
around the sun."
Farley said
the activity also promoted teamwork.
"I believe
that education is more exciting now than it ever
has been before," she said.
