4th Grade Explorations
Fourth grade Explorations is divided into the following two units: Enigmas and Robotics. A description of each unit can be found below.
Enigmas
Using critical thinking skills, deductive reasoning, problem-solving strategies, and logic, students will investigate a naturally occurring enigma. Students will have the opportunity for in-depth exploration of a chosen enigma and hypothesize possible solutions. After interacting with professionals in the field, students will create their own enigma and become expert investigators of an existing enigma. Through these explorations, students will demonstrate an understanding of mathematics, writing skills, and the scientific research process. During this unit, students will discover the attributes of an enigma, how perspective colors truth, and the difference between reliable and unreliable information.
Robotics
Through the study of robotics, students will practice creativity and problem-solving skills that are used in the real world. Within this interdisciplinary unit, they build, design and program fully functional models and behave like scientists, carrying out simple investigations, calculating and measuring behaviors, and predicting and recording their results. Using technology, students will learn to design and download programs needed to accomplish given tasks. In learning communities, they work together on solving realistic problems imaginatively by sharing, developing, and communicating ideas.
Enigmas
Using critical thinking skills, deductive reasoning, problem-solving strategies, and logic, students will investigate a naturally occurring enigma. Students will have the opportunity for in-depth exploration of a chosen enigma and hypothesize possible solutions. After interacting with professionals in the field, students will create their own enigma and become expert investigators of an existing enigma. Through these explorations, students will demonstrate an understanding of mathematics, writing skills, and the scientific research process. During this unit, students will discover the attributes of an enigma, how perspective colors truth, and the difference between reliable and unreliable information.
Robotics
Through the study of robotics, students will practice creativity and problem-solving skills that are used in the real world. Within this interdisciplinary unit, they build, design and program fully functional models and behave like scientists, carrying out simple investigations, calculating and measuring behaviors, and predicting and recording their results. Using technology, students will learn to design and download programs needed to accomplish given tasks. In learning communities, they work together on solving realistic problems imaginatively by sharing, developing, and communicating ideas.