6th Grade STEM Class - April 13, 2013

Wind Tubes

Today, in preparation for our field trip to the indoor skydiving place, we experimented with a wind tube. After we made parachutes, the kids got to put different materials into the wind tube, just to see how they reacted. As the day went on, the kids were able to design different things, combining multiple of the materials to create new structures to test. While some structures left the wind tube almost instantly, some others hovered beautifully in the middle. We also found that while some things only flew on the highest setting of the fan, a few flew better on the lower settings.

6th Grade STEM Class - March 2013

Wind Power

We had a really fun day. In preparation for our trip to a wind farm in Palm Springs, we build our own mini wind turbines. We tried out various blade designs. Our most efficient generated a half of volt!  We also made wind powered powered cars. Again, we experimented with different blade designs and positions. Some kids added washers to their car and got creative with with their fanning materials. We all raced each other to see whose designed worked best.

6th Grade Classes - My Learning Connection

1st Semester Tariq took: Egypt, Science, Hands on Math, Creative Writing, & Team Building

2nd Semester: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Wizards Academy for Muggles, Hands on Math, Creative Writing, & Science

http://www.mylearningconnection.net/

​My Learning Connection allows children of all ages to learn through interactive, hands on, project based classes. I use a cooperative learning style that offers students a place to discover independence as well as how to work within a group or team setting. These classes are designed to fit the needs of all learning styles. Come join us for a funfilled adventure in learning. Check out each class page for more detailed information.

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Science:
The Scientific Method…. What’s it all about?  We will talk about the experiment and its dynamics, make our predictions / hypotheses, have fun with the experiment, then examine our predictions and form a conclusion. What should we change, do differently? All of these questions will be explored in this fun, hands on class.  The goal is to help students develop critical-thinking skills and strengthen their understanding of science concepts.  Using general science, life science, earth and physical science as our base some of the things we will experiment with are the properties of Earth materials, motions and forces, changes of properties in matter, light, heat, electricity, magnetism and motion of objects.

Hands on Math:
In this class we will explore all kinds of upper level math in an interesting and hands on way. Each activity is designed to tap into the student’s curiosity of math and help them discover meaningful patterns and relationships between things. The hands on format of these activities allow students to work as individuals, with partners or in-groups. They will be able to make their own independent explorations and think beyond their own solutions. Math tools such as the compass, protractor and calculator will be a big part of these activities. 

Creative Writing:
In this creative writing class we will explore the world of words in their many different forms. This is not a "technical" writing class although we will learn how to use words to describe things, learn how to build a good paragraph and achieve a variety of writing styles. The goal for this class is to allow the students to be free in their writing, start thinking in creative ways and have fun with it. Hands on activities, group projects and shared individual ideas will be the bases for this class. ​

Wizards:

This is a theme-based class, revolving around the wonderful writings of J.K. Rowling's and the magical world of Hogwarts. This class uses language arts, math, science and history to explore

this fascinating world. We use a project based, hands

on, interactive, learning approach. We will make an 

activity book which will include all of our games, 

projects, activities and adventures.

Percy Jackson:

This is a theme-based class, based on the best selling books by Rick Riordan revolving around the adventures of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. This class uses language arts, math, science and history to explore this ancient world. We use a project based, hands on, interactive, learning approach. We will make an ​ activity book which will include all of our games, projects, activities and adventures.

Becki Owens

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   I have been homeschooling my two boys for the past nine years, since they were in Kindergarten, and loving every minute of it. Learning is an endless adventure and we like to be creative and have lots of fun. I am definitely a homeschool advocate and will always encourage parents to discover the joy of their children and their unique abilities.

  

   I have lived in Murrieta for 35 years and in fact, still live on the same 10 acres where I grew up. I have a BA of Art from San Diego State University, an AA degree in Art History and Design, I am licensed in Educational Kinesiology / Brain Gym, certified in Brain Behavior / Brain Profiling and Learning Styles. I have developed workshops and classes not only for kids but also adults. I have trained teachers in classroom development, organization and achieving student success, implemented after school and home school enrichment programs, assisted corporations in team building activities and workshops and co-founded a non-profit corporation that deals with how food, drugs, chemicals, and environmental toxins effect learning and behavior. ​

    

   With my degree in Art / Art History and training in personality and learning styles, I believe I have a unique perspective on how to create a positive learning experience for all people.

6th Grade Class - The Yoga Collective - Feb. 27, 2013

The Youth Yoga @ The Yoga Collective is doing the Harlem Shake - Yoga Style

http://www.thetyc.com/

Youth Yoga (Ages 11-17) (Six Week Course)

Youth Yoga offers a fun and light-hearted approach to practicing yoga with a group of friends. Each class includes a mix of new and familiar asanas, playful partner poses, and empowering messages, along with a lively music playlist.

6th Grade Class - STEM Temecula Christmas Parade - 12-7-12

PARADE

The parade has always been one of our favorite group activities. It is so nice to get all dressed up to spread holiday cheer to our community.The kids did a great job (as always) and our fabulous parents joined in too. We really are very fortunate to have such supportive families. We wish all of you a safe and joyous holiday season. 

Article and Picture of STEM in the Press Enterprise:

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/temecula/temecula-headlines-index/20121207-temecula-parade-lightens-old-towns-holiday-spirits.ece

TEMECULA: Parade lightens Old Town’s Holiday spirits

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BY NELSY RODRIGUEZ 

STAFF WRITER 

December 07, 2012; 09:32 PM 

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As bright and sparkly as a Christmas tree, the annual Temecula Lights Parade kicked off the holiday season Friday, Dec. 7, in Old Town.

Thousands of residents from every city in southwest Riverside County lined the streets of Old Town as the parade offered a feast for the eyes and ears.

“It's beautiful, look at all the people,” said Dean Savatmand of Murrieta as a float carrying a snow maker passed, shooting white snow flakes into the air. “Some people have never seen the snow.”

The parade featured old-time favorites such as a pack of dachshunds, numerous high school bands and cheerleaders in flirty festive costumes.

Other parade standards included members of Temecula City Council who stopped to thank the crowds for their support, and reminded them of other holiday activities. They offered blessings and well-wishes and even led the crowds to sing Christmas carols.

“The kids love it,” said new Temecula resident Lisa Pizdar, who brought her best friend's grandchildren to the parade. “They're out there break dancing in the street, having a blast.”

The sights also included vintage cars dressed in lights, kids groups, public safety displays and a bevy of Santa beards.

And, much to the pleasure of 2-year-old Audrey Grilley, several buses with lighted, spinning wheels. The excited toddler told her mom, Jessica Grilley, that she had no interest in meeting Santa but would have loved to ride on a lighted bus.

“That's the reason we're here,” she said. “She loves lights. She's really into it.”

On Friday, Dec. 14, Temecula will present a winter wonderland block party featuring kid’s activities, snow, Santa visits and other treats. That event also will be held in Old Town and is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

6th Grade Classes - S.T.E.M - October 20, 2012

Our Projects

Jitterbugs

The kids had a great time building their Jitterbugs. I was surprised how skilled some of them were at stripping wire. They all hooked up their own motors and power source. After we got them jittering, the kids started decorating. We used googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and puff balls. For seasonal fun, we played with dry ice. We learned dry ice is not frozen water but carbon dioxide. When we add it to warm water, and maybe some soap, we get some spooky results.

Jitterbug Video

6th Grade Classes - S.T.E.M 10-6-12

Rooftop Gardens

 It was another hot day, but we’re starting to cool off. The heat was actually a benefit to our experiment. Each group made two identical buildings out of foam core and duct tape. On the roof, each building was covered in black sand paper (to act as a black tar roof). One of the building’s roofs was then covered in plastic and then sod. The sod was used to emulate a rooftop garden. Using a thermometer, we then tracked the temperature for 10 minutes and recorded the differences. As expected, most of the groups found the temperature of the buildings with the black roofs to be higher than those with the gardens. For a fun add-on, we also used our invention skills to build a device that could reach a treat that had been taped to the wall about 8 feet up. Each group could only use 2 sheets of newspaper, tape, 5 paperclips, and a cup.

6th Grade S.T.E.M class - September 22, 2012

Newton's 1st Law of Motion

Who knew the Law of Inertia could be so much fun?!  We had a penny challenge, learned a tricky trick, spun eggs, and played whoosh ball. Applying Newton’s First Law of Motion to a quick safety lesson, we made our own crash test dummies and tested them on a ramp of varying heights. After all of that, we cooled off with some ice blocking. All that in a Saturday morning :)

Ice Blocking 

6th Grade Classes - S.T.E.M - Sept 8, 2012

First Meeting

What a blast we had at our first meet-up. We loved meeting everyone. What a great group! The meeting was a mix of activities to give everyone a taste of what’s to come. We learned about potential and kinetic energy with water balloon launchers, built water shooters out of pvc, played a couple games, and even made our own steam powered boats! Awesome :)

Temecula STEM Club is full of fun invention challenges and experiments to spark our member’s interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  We learn how the design process helps us with creative problem solving and what inventing is all about. Throughout the year, we also participate in our community and complete service learning projects.