VBS News Net: Can we play music by plasticine? VBS Primary 3 students applied knowledge learnt from AI, Music and Science to play music by plasticine in STEAM classes held from 21st December to 25th December.  

This STEAM class was prepared by teachers from AI, Music and Science for five weeks after many rounds of discussions and collaborations.

Mr. Zhao taught electric circuits knowledge during Science class so that students understood that current could flow in a closed circuit. They also learned that both human bodies and humid plasticine were conductors to achieve playing music by plasticine using the programmes written in the motherboard.

Ms. Pan explained the simple music theory and went through the score of the song 'Farewell' with students so that they would know how to make music with notes.

Mr. Peng guided students to do programming by adding music and makeymakey add-in modules before connecting to electric circuit to complete the playing.

Students showed inquisitiveness and the eagerness to learn. They worked in groups - two were in charge of programming while the other two connected the hardware. They sought assistance from teachers and reflected to improve their work by communicating with one another. Finally every group completed their task and played the song 'Farewell'.

Based on the needs of teaching objectives, VBS STEAM classes focus on the work produced by inter-disciplinary teaching. This lesson is a preamble to motivate students to explore science research and increase their interests in Science, Music and Programming by experiencing the hardware and software and simple music programming for Primary 3 students. Students can learn knowledge across different subjects so that they enhance their awareness on solving problems. They will achieve indepth learning after doing programming themselves and connecting to electric circuit to play the songs. 

Document Provider: Mr. Peng Ping, Ms. Pamela Wu

Photographer: Linda

Translated by DC Lai