S.T.E.A.M.
STEAM is an educational discipline that aims to spark an interest and lifelong love of the arts and sciences in children from an early age. Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math are similar fields of study in that they all involve creative processes and none uses just one method for inquiry and investigation. STEAM empowers teachers to employ project-based learning that crosses each of the five disciplines and fosters an inclusive learning environment in which all students are able to engage and contribute.
SCIENCE :
Students will be guided through a series of learning stations to explore their questions and gain more knowledge. These stations are listed, with suggested timing and other tips, and also include short Brain Pop videos and reading materials which include:
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Understanding the harmful content contained in used cooking oil for health.
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Learning how to make soap from the used oil and understand the principles of detergency.
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Knowing how soap makes dishes clean through chemical reaction.
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Knowing the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of soap and how it works to kill germs.
TECHNOLOGY / ENGINEERING :
Students make design adjustments if needed, complete an efficiency test; moisturising, fragrance and cost assessment; and conduct an analysis of their results. Then they create a soap (with colour, smell, function), with focus on paying attention to environmental and social impact.
ART:
Students will think about how to show the importance of eco-friendly activities such as managing, reusing, and recycling used oil through the medium of art and design. Firstly, students will design posters or flyers for local communities that show how it will benefit the Earth. Secondly, students will design appropriate packaging for the soaps made from used oil, again highlighting the environmentally friendly approach that was taken.
MATH:
Students can quantify the amount of used oil in Vietnam and in their own homes throughout this PBL. In order to tackle their own project of making soap from used cooking oil, they will measure the amount of used oil and other components to produce soap, as well as work out the cost of making soap and selling it with the profits going towards experiment funding and charity.
