How High Can You Spring A Box Troll?

Today is October 31st, so we made Box Trolls on springs and measured how high we could get our Box Trolls to "spring up".

First we did a VTS activity looking at various box trolls.

Then we had a mini lesson on springs and accordion style paper springs.
Next students created their own box troll using a box outline, tape, scissors, and a ruler.
After the students made their box troll, they decorated them and measured how high they could "spring up".
Measurements were made by:
1. pushing the box troll down and taking a centimeter measurement.
2. Springing up the box troll and measuring the highest point.
3. subtracting the first spring to the second spring.

This was a fun and creative project that also required measurements.

Lego Person Parachutes!

Today students built a miniature parachute for a Lego person in the hopes of landing on a target from ten feet away.

First, students did a VTS activity while looking at various pictures of parachutes. Next students had a mini-lesson on capturing wind design. Students then began building their own parachute using a plastic bag, scissors, a meter of string, and a Lego person.

After students parachutes were designed and modified, the challenge began! Given a meter stick, students dropped their Lego Person Parachute from ten feet up trying to land on a "mountain".

Our final step was writing a reflection of what was learned about parachute design.
Great job students!

building

testing

Landing....

Success!

Sail Cars!

What do you think would push a sail car further; a blown up balloon or wind from a straw?

Today students created a sail design that provided the optimal way of capturing two wind variables. Working with four Lego wheels, two note cards, a meter of tape, a paper clip, a balloon and a straw, students made their own Sail Car.

First students studied sail design using a V.T.S. strategy and reading an article using AVID Critical Reading Skills. Next, students created their Sail Car and modified the sail design to capture the most wind. We used two wind instruments to test our design: a blown up balloon and a straw. Students collected data, modified, and reflected on what they learned today.

the races...

 A Great Sail Wind design after modifications....

Well done Champion Students!

WOW!

100% homework turn in for all of my classes... First time in 21 years of teaching!
So proud of all my Champion students!

Champions Build Articulated Robotic Arms!

Using two pieces of cardboard and a few other basic materials, students built their own "articulated robotic arm" to perform some basic tasks. The challenge was for their robotic arm to be able to grab some items of various weight out of a bucket a few feet away. Students were up for the challenge!

First students read about the robotic arm on the Space Station and the many ways it helps the astronauts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Servicing_System
video:

•https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbwV0fs5-xU

Next, students got comfortable with some key vocabulary they should be using while building such as "articulated" and "performance", and "task". Students then built and modified their arm. After they felt confident with their arm, they tried to pick up materials.

Our last step was reflecting on our engineering using a message board on Dy'Know.

This lesson was modified from:

•http://wwwtc.pbskids.org/designsquad/pdf/parentseducators/DSN_NASA_MissionSolarSystem_RoboArm.pdf

First, building....

Then testing...

The materials in a bucket for the "arm" to pick up (rings, rubber band, small cup, foam block, scissors and more....

Success!

Great Job Champions!