Friday, May 22, 2015

Champions Build Air Powered Boats!

Today students built balloon air powered boats to see how far and fast it could travel.

Students were given a meter of tape, a balloon, a note card and a foot of string.

Next students built/ tested and modified.




The most challenging aspect of this project was getting the balloon to stay on the boat.
Most students were able to make their boat travel and glide more than five feet!

Our last step was writing a reflection of what we learned today using our new engineering academic vocabulary...

Well done Champions!


Champions Build Balloon Air Powered Zip Lines!

Today students built a zip line that was able to get a Lego dude down a zip line using air power (balloon).
Students were given a balloon, string, a paper clip, tape and a Lego Figure..


They were challenged with getting their Lego Figure across the zip line...








 then, for fun they made a mini zip line......

Students did an amazing job creating, testing and modifying.
Our last step of reflecting on what we built using our new academic vocabulary.

Well done Champions of Room A8!

Friday, May 1, 2015

Champions Build Balloon Lego Cars!

Today students made a lightweight hybrid Lego/ cardboard cars (using Lego Wheels) propelled by the release of air from a balloon that was attached to their "car".

First we did a V.T.S. activity studying the pictures below:

Next, we got our materials and began building. Many students needed to modify their cars to make sure the balloon was able to release the air and push the car without assistance.

The first challenge was for it to go across the students desk at least three feet. Once they were able to do that, they were invited to move on to the class "Race Track".  If they were able to get their car across the five foot track with balloon power, they were then invited to test outside on the "Champions Raceway". We had so much fun!

building....

 Testing and modifying....




and some bloopers...(this really was a fun day!)...


Our last step was reflect on what we did and what we learned today. Well done Champions!