FabSLAM

FabSLAM is another great grant opportunity that was offered by the Idaho STEM Action Center. The STEM Action Center has done a fantastic job of providing educators with grants that provide training and materials. Recipients of the FabSLAM grant received two days of training, a 3D printer, and the ability to participate in a FabSLAM Showcase.

FabSLAM is a 3D design challenge. This year's theme is transportation. Students work over the course of eight weeks to identify a problem and rapid prototype a solution. Student teams create a web page that explains the design process, presentation, and a prototype that uses at least some 3D printing.

The school librarian and I teamed up to offer this opportunity to our students in 5th through 8th grades. We allowed students to create and submit teams they created. They could also let us know they were interested in participating and we would place them on a team. One of the biggest challenge we faced was when could we have meetings so any interested students could participate. If we have meetings before or after school, it limits who can participate due to parents being able to provide rides. Therefore, we established weekly lunch meetings that are optional and created a FabSLAM team on Microsoft Teams for students to be able to collaborate outside of school. I will share updates as time permits. Hopefully, our seven teams will enjoy and learn from the process.

FabSLAM Timeline

FabSLAM Guide

FabSLAM Rubric

MicroGravity University for Educators

Experiment Name: “Gravity Check”

Team Name: “i-Nerds of Martian Gravity”

Mission Patch:         

Students in one 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade classes worked in groups to submit a proposal to NASA’s Microgravity University for Educators with the assistance of Dr. Taylor.  Their proposal for a Satellite Launching Experimental Device (SLED) that will automatically deploy a mock satellite into a targeted zone mimicking a Mars orbital insertion was created from the materials list provided by NASA.  The list includes items such as Duct Tape, Rubber Bands (different sizes and strengths), String, Tongue Depressors/Craft Sticks, Springs (different sizes and strengths), Bungie Cords (different sizes and strengths), 1 & 2 inch strips of Aluminum Tubing 1-2 feet long, 5 feet of Rubber Tubing, Paper Clips, Straws, Masking Tape, Clothes Hanger, Paper Towel Rolls, and Balloons. Students also design a mission patch and created the team name i-Nerds of Martian Gravity.  There are approximately 110 students working on this project and five teachers.  The team will be working directly with NASA to refine and improve their SLED design before the team of teachers takes the design to NASA’s Johnson Space Center to test their design in simulated microgravity.

All the students will have jobs to complete for the SLED to be ready for testing in April.  Your student may be assisting with the build, conducting scientific research for mechanics and aerospace, quality assurance on the build, launch team, trip planning to Houston, data collection and analysis, final report, public relations (website), simulator development and build, documentation, time management, and materials management.  Just like other NASA projects, it will take the entire team to have our SLED ready for testing at NASA Johnson Space Center.  During the teachers’ time at Johnson Space Center, the team of teachers will be communicating live with the students to share the experience and the results of the test. 

https://microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/theProgram/micro-g-ue/index.cfm