STREAM Lab
The Mater Dei Catholic School STREAM Lab is based on the “Maker Movement.” The “Maker Movement” is designed to allow a student-centered approach in the areas of Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics.
The STREAM Lab allows for students to flourish in an environment where they tinker, create, invent, build, and interact with each other within the curriculum. Students will build confidence in their capabilities and explore the world they live in to develop an attitude to fix, make, change, modify, and customize their world.
See what the students accomplish when working in the Stream Lab.
1st graders created with Legoes and let their imaginations flow.
1st graders created an amusement ride with Legoes.
2nd graders tested a variety of materials for building stability.
2nd graders found that Keva blocks are more stable than their Lego towers.
3rd graders were challenged to build the tallest cup tower in 10 minutes.
3rd graders beamed with pride when their tower surpased the others.
4th graders use the steps in the scientific method to study solubility.
4th graders use Skittles to study the effect of color on the solubility of the candy.
5th graders used the steps in the scientific method to test for absorption.
5th graders tested various sponges to see how much liquid they could absorb.
6th graders set up filtration units using 2 liter soda bottles.
6th graders experienced the purification of water through the layers of the earth.
7th graders studied the characteristics of living things using yeast.
7th graders combined yeast with warm water and sugar and collected the carbon dioxide that was evolved.
8th graders were challenged to build a safe haven using 10 index cards and glue.
8th graders measured the durability of their havens by how much weight they could withstand.
Mrs. Kerr
I am a product of 18 years of Catholic education. I attended St. Louis Elementary School in Yeadon, Delaware County. I completed my high school education at Villa Maria Academy in Malvern. Immaculata College was the school where I received a Bachelor’s degree. My graduate work was completed at Villanova university. I worked in the pharmaceutical field doing kidney research for seven years before starting a family. I have been the comptroller of a small company for the past 47 years. I am the proud parent of 4 children – 2 boys and 2 girls. I started at St. Stanislaus as the first computer teacher. I taught 2 programming languages for 3 years. Then I moved into the eighth grade. During the first 5 years of Mater Dei I taught in the 7th and 8th grades. This, the seventh year of Mater Dei, will be my second year as the coordinator of the activities in the Stream and Science labs for grades 1 through 8.
