Information: www.epsteinatlanta.org or 404-250-5600.
Each year, the three fourth-grade classes at the Epstein School in Sandy Springs spend time studying earthquakes, and the most popular part of the unit is a highly-anticipated activity involving 30 toothpicks and 30 marshmallows. Presented in the form of an architectural puzzle, the lesson always revolves around science, but this year, it took on a greater significance, pulling in world events and philanthropy as well.
The challenge is for students to create a toothpick design that can withstand the onslaught of severe shaking. The goal is to come up with a two-story structure made with at least one triangle and one square that can remain intact when placed in a cart of Jello and shaken vigorously.
“The unit is part of our [science, technology, engineering and math] piece that asks students to come up with something like a house or a bridge,” explained Gayle Harrell, the school’s elementary science specialist. “I’ve incorporated it over the last few years; I’m a strong STEM supporter, and for every unit, I try to have a science, technology or engineering component.”
The 60 9- and 10-year-old students are just as taken with the fun of the project, added Harrell. “Even though they don’t have any blueprints or designs, they know how to put things together to make things work. They learn from one another; if theirs fell but another’s stood up, they do comparisons to find out what made one structure sturdier. And they’re excited when what they build stands up.”
The exercise also requires critical thinking skills, problem-solving techniques and creativity. But this year, the lesson took on a special significance when an earthquake struck Nepal. Suddenly, a simple STEM project became a cross-curriculum exercise.
“The first thing that struck us was the global aspect of it, especially when one of our students had a family friend living in the earthquake region,” said Harrell. “She gave us a first-hand report of what was happening, about how the friend’s house withstood the earthquake, but the one next door collapsed like a pancake.”
The disaster motivated students to organize a fund drive to help the Nepalese victims. Such philanthropic efforts closely align with the goals of the school, said Tal David, Epstein’s elementary principal.
“Learning about what’s going on in other parts of the world, figuring out how to make the world a better place and giving back are all part of our focus on global learning, character education and blended learning,” she said. “Here, students just don’t learn about service learning; they do it.”
Established in 1973, the school has close to 600 students, from 18 months through middle school. In the elementary and middle levels, it’s not unusual to find some sort of fund driving going on, said David. Youngsters are often selling pizzas at lunch or taking pledges to win the honor of not wearing the school uniform for a day, and they typically raise between $500 and $800 through those activities. In addition, a fund drive often includes a Skype conversation with recipients so students see the impact their donations can make while they get an inside look at another culture. Students also offer input on how the money is spent.
“In this case, they’ve voiced to us that they want children in Nepal to have water, clothes and books,” said David. “This disaster has helped students not only understand what they’re doing in class, but also to understand global outreach and to look beyond their little pond.”
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