This week, we visited the Pfaff Elementary School STEM Club to interview students who participated in the Bucks County IU STEM Challenge.
This year, elementary and middle school students were challenged to design “a section of a factory that produces a product using sustainable practices by preparing a prototype constructed of K’Nex and/or Engino, that showcases how their functioning machine works, and how it supports environmentally responsible production. The machine prototype should clearly demonstrate sustainability principles by minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency, and/or simulating the use of recycled, reusable, or otherwise sustainable parts, materials, or resources.”
(For more information visit: https://www.bucksiu.org/educators-administrators/stem-design-challenge)
Pfaff students have been working hard on their projects for the last two months using the same Design Thinking Process they use in class:
Ask
Imagine
Plan
Build
Test
Reflect
Share
Students were excited to present their projects and explain how they could be used in everyday life:
The Bottle - to - Brick Heater / Compressor
Team: Etta, Brynn, and Rosa / The Positive Pumas
The team explained that the first step is to put the bottle in the machine. Next, turn on the heat pump. Once heated, the bottle will begin to melt slightly and soften. Then the machine will push and compress the plastic bottle into a square brick, making it possible to reuse the plastic bottle as a more affordable alternative to bricks. The team explained, “This machine is good for the environment because it reuses bottles and turns them into bricks, and that can be reused instead of throwing them away.
The Dirty to Clean Crayon Machine
Team: Charlie and Anna / The Aesthetic Nuggies
Charlie and Anna explained that the machine helps to reuse crayons and reduce pollution. The first step is to place the “old crayons” onto the conveyor belt. The motor moves the gears to spin each crayon down the belt. As the crayon moves down the belt, it will begin to melt. Colors are sorted by category and placed in a mold to harden.
A Solar Charger - a box that charges batteries with Solar Panels
Team: Aiden, Matthew, and Adrian / The Second Life Cells
The team was inspired to create a machine that can recharge batteries and prevent them from ending up in a landfill, where they corrode and release toxic chemicals. The machine is a conveyor belt system, with solar panels to charge the batteries. The batteries enter the machine on one side of the conveyor belt, move through the system over the solar panel chargers, and emerge on the other side as fully charged batteries.
Smoke Cleaning Machine
Team: Grayson and Thor / The Infinity Stones
Team Infinity Stones created a “smoke cleaning machine” that removes toxins from smoke, keeping the air clear and protecting our atmosphere. The machine works by filling the interior area with smoke. Next, the motor-powered fan pushes the smoke through a paper filter, allowing the clear air to emerge on the other side.
Recycled Paper Maker
Team: Kennedy, Paisley, and Addison / The Power Girls
The team explained that the first step involves placing the paper materials on the platform. Next, a compressor presses and molds the paper scraps together. This recycled paper maker benefits the environment by repurposing existing paper, reducing the need to cut down additional trees.
Thank you to all our amazing Pfaff fifth graders for sharing their environmentally friendly machines with us. We are thrilled to learn that team, “The Second Life Cells,” with Aiden, Matthew, and Adrien will be advancing to the STEM Design Finals at the FAB LAB in Warminster on Friday, April 10th!
Good Luck team “Second Life Cells” and congratulations to all our Pfaff Inventors!