Teach-Primary-Issue-19.1

There is an increasing appreciation of the importance of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) teaching in schools. This is not just for the benefit of the pupils but also for the future success of the country as a whole. The challenge comes in making it simple and straightforward for teachers to implement, whilst ensuring that it is both engaging for the children and successful in delivering measurable outcomes. We already know that hands-on activities work particularly well, not least for those pupils who, shall we say, have a more tactile approach to the world. No doubt, you already have a bank of learning projects up your sleeve. But what if you’re beginning to feel that your spaghetti and plasticine construction challenges are becoming a little dry, or feeling a little constrained? In any case, why should such a hands-on approach be limited to subjects like design technology? If you’re looking to take creative learning in your classroom to a new level, Strawbees could be just what you’re looking for. To say Strawbees is a construction kit would be to simplify it to an almost insulting degree. Nevertheless, at its heart it is a collection of straws and connectors that offers enormous scope to design and build. Specialised robotics parts are also available to empower more ambitious projects. The beauty of Strawbees is its versatility. Simply by offering a variety of colour-coded A versatile, construction-based teaching resource to promote hands-on learning across the curriculum AT A GLANCE STEAM Ingeniously designed plastic straws and connectors with optional robotics elements Supports subjects far beyond just DT and coding Offers pupils both the tools to solve specific problems and the freedom to invent Supported by a comprehensive online resource for teachers Includes lesson plans and professional development webinars From £25. See strawbees.com for details. Extremely versatile Fairly simple to use Promotes problem solving Endlessly re-usable Reduces teacher workload Covers a wide range of subjects across KS1 and KS2 Offers children freedom to invent Expandable with micro:bit pack Aligned to national curriculum …you want to introduce a hands-on, creative approach to problem-solving that supports learning right across the curriculum. VERD I CT UPGRADE I F . . . REVIEWED BY: TP REVIEWER Strawbees straws and connectors, it provides the scope to build almost anything of almost any size. They are lightweight and easy to manipulate, yet are also robust, so you would feel confident that you could use them again and again. The connectors are rather ingenious in their flexibility, allowing you to make any number of joins that turn ideas into models that actually work. When you add in the robotics element using the micro:bit pack, it adds a whole new level of programmable functionality. It might take a little while to get your head around the technological whistles and bells but, then again, you’re probably better at that sort of thing than I am. Strawbees gives children extensive freedom to invent their own structures rather than simply following a pre-set design, which also stimulates problem-solving. Organise your pupils into groups and you’re into collaborative working, with all the benefits for communication development that entails. That said, we have a curriculum to teach. Thankfully, Strawbees has created a very handy online resource for teachers called Strawbees Classroom. Here, you will have access to a wide range of support materials, from basic help to inspirational webinars showing you how to make the most of Strawbees in your teaching. What’s more, there is a large collection of ready-made, curriculum-aligned lesson plans covering a surprisingly wide range of subjects for pupils across KS1 and KS2. The applications are practically limitless. www.teachwire.net | 81 RE V I EWS