Las Lomas celebrates innovative Fiesta Float Parade

Apr 16, 2019 | News

Nothing says ¡Viva Fiesta! like flower crowns, papel picado, medals and parading robots. The second-grade team at Las Lomas Elementary recently celebrated an innovative Fiesta Float Parade as part of their Project-Based Learning unit.

A total of 29 robots, programmed by students, glided across the school’s gym floor with festive floats honoring inventors in the world of STEAM. Project-Based Learning encourages students to learn and apply knowledge and skills through an engaging experience.

The project began back in February when all second-grade students did research on inventors and how they improved the modern world. They learned about Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, The Wright Brothers, Johannes Gutenberg, among others.  Next up, the students engineered the artistic floats and organized the successful event.

The audience was stunned by the creativity and tech-savviness demonstrated by the students as they maneuvered the robots, streamed the event on a large projector from an iPad, programmed a talking robot as their grand marshal and emceed the event with wit.

Principal Jennifer Lomas was excited to congratulate the students and teachers on a fantastic job.

“It was a lot of hard work and rolling up the sleeves, but when we can provide opportunities like these for our students it makes it all worth it,” Lomas said. “Without the support from our parents who encourage and give us positive feedback that this is the kind of learning they like and want for their kids, and without the support from the North East Educational Foundation that supports and funds our grants, this would not be possible.”

In 2018, the North East Educational Foundation granted $12,300 to the second-grade team so that they could purchase tools and materials to provide experiences like this one.

“Parents supporting our school fundraisers, supporting Big Give and the North East Educational Foundation are what helps us build and grow opportunities like these for our kiddos,” Lomas concluded.

 

 

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