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!

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!

Champions Build Marshmallow Towers!

Using just 50 toothpicks and 25 small marshallows, students were given two challenges:

1. How tall of a stucture could they build?
2. Could they build a structure with at least a three inch base that could support a standard box of Crayons?

Students were given 20 minutes to enginer their structures. They were able to build some very inpressive (and tall) sturctures. The highest was ten inches!

Most were able to build their stucture in a way to support a box of crayons.

Our last step was reflecting on what what we learned today in a short refelction essay.

Well done Champions!

Champions Build Extension Grabbers!

Today students were given two rulers, two feet of tape, two feet of string, 2 rubber bands, and a paper clip. The challenge was to engineer an extender that could pick up a few items from two feet away. The items were a pencil and a full box of crayons.

First we had a VTS discussion after looking at some images of "extension grabbers" and how they can be helpful in everyday life. Next, students were given the materials and time to engineer, test, and modify. Most students were able to meet the challenge. Once they were successful, they were encouraged to add another ruler for a further reach. One student was able to successfully reach from four feet away (4 rulers) with her extender.

Our last step was to reflect on what we learned in a short essay.
Well done Champions!

Champions Build Mini Elevators!

Today students engineered a one-foot tall elevator that could pull up to five small weights (washers). First we participated in a V.T.S. activity looking at various pulley systems.
Next we went over some key vocabulary such as "lift", "pulley system", "counter weight" and "cable".  We also watched a short video clip of the science behind the elevator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2duEzrOS6M

Then the students were presented with the following design challenge:

• Your engineering challenge today is to build a one-foot tall Lego structure that has a pulley system that can elevate five small washer weights. Materials to use are a bag of Lego's, two feet of string, a paper clip and a ruler.

Students talked about their design ideas and did a short amount of research on their net-books before building. 

Then it was time to build, test and modify to reach "Success!"!

Most students were able to engineer a solid structure that could pull up the goal of five small weights. Our last step was writing a reflection of what they engineered, how it performed, and what they learned from this activity. 

Well done Champions!

Champions Build Mini Hang Gliders

Today students engineered a mini hang glider using a note card, paper clip, tape and a Lego Figure. The challenge was to build a hang glider and see if it could "glide" at least four feet.

This challenge required students to test, modify and re-test. First we did a VTS activity looking at different hang glider designs. Next, students were given their set of materials and began building.

When they felt they were ready to test, they went outside and let their creations glide.
Many students needed to come back in class and modify, then retest.

Students did a great job!
After building, testing and modifying, students wrote a reflection of what they accomplished and learned today about hang gliders and gliding! The class record was 22 feet!
Well done Champions!

Champions Build Lego Bridges

Today student used the principals of building bridges from past challenges, but this time using Legos!The challenge was to build a Lego bridge that was at least five inches high and 8 or more inches wide. After they built their bridge, they applied 6 oz. washers on the bridge. All students were able to hold five or more washers. The class high score was ten washers! The last step was to write a reflection of what they engineered, learned and what they would do next time to make it even more stable!

Well done Champions!