Shark Lake - Grade 9 Science & Math Project

Purpose of the Project:

Summerside is introducing a new subdivision to the Shark Lake community (est. 2013), which has a number of lots available for development. Students will design, build and wire a scale model home to fit the architectural requirements for this neighbourhood.

Project Process:

Our entry event for this project is pretty simple - we take the kids for a walk! Our neighbourhood is still in development and so walking around, observing houses and taking pictures is ideal. Students are encouraged to bring their phones for the walk as they pay particular attention to design, window and door placement as well as overall scale.

Once we return, we give students some time to do a rough, 4-view sketch so they can have an idea of the overall design they'd like to construct as well as where all windows etc. will be. Because we live in an architecturally controlled neighbourhood, students are given specific guidelines that their homes need to adhere to.

After the sketches are complete, students receive a mini-lesson on scale factor and conversions. We decided, during our first attempt at this project, that a 1:24 scale would be best - this is a whole story unto itself as my teaching partner and I spent a LONG time working this out and decided it was much more important for students to work with the scale factor given than to get frustrated trying to figure out what was appropriate! Students spent some time measuring doors and windows around the school and at their own homes so they could better decide how big to make them for their design. They calculated the size to scale and then did a mini-scale drawing that really isn't to scale at all, but which has a version of their net with the proper measurements recorded for EVERYTHING. After the first year, when students had to re-do their large-scale net several times because they missed one measurement or another, we added this component. It prevents a LOT of added time and headaches.

When they have their small-scale drawing approved, the students get a long piece of paper and draw out their net to scale in its entirety. The biggest stumbling blocks happen when students forget their foundation OR they do not take the time to ensure all measurements, including right angles, are accurate. Once the paper net is approved and cut out, students get to choose the colour of corro-plast they want to make their house. We decided to use corro-plast because it is relatively inexpensive, it is easy to get in a variety of colours and we don't need fancy tools to work with it. A bonus is that the corrugations make it look like siding on a real house! The paper net is taped onto the corro-plast, traced carefully and cut out with box-cutters. Be sure to have something protective underneath the students' work area or you will slash whatever is underneath - again, a note from experience.

The net is scored and can be folded together to assemble the house, but first students need to start the wiring. The first stage is to make proper circuit diagrams based on the devices required. Once approved, students are given 'practice' materials to show me that they can construct a 4-branch parallel circuit. At this point, they can begin making their electrical blueprints on their large-scale paper net. After this is approved, they can start constructing their circuit panel and wiring their homes. This is usually the most 'stressful' part as it is the part with the most to troubleshoot. Usually during the final week before the Showcase, my room becomes somewhat of a disaster <ahem, construction> zone and we let students leave their materials out and I move around to teach my classes in alternative spaces. Students add finishing details like window and door trim, front porches, back decks and they create a first floor scale floorplan using Google Floorplanner.

Once EVERYTHING is complete, it is time for showcase day! We get our neighbourhood plan printed on our large scale plotter printer, wire it and the students connect their houses! We invite community members, parents, engineers, city planners, developers and other classes in the school to come and view their new development. IT is a fantastic day!