Today GATE parent and civil engineer Kevin Craig visited to teach us about his job and how it connects to STEM. He did a couple super cool demonstrations that showed how water flow in controlled in an urban setting. Later, the students were presented with a Lego bridge engineering challenge with several layers of design criteria they had to follow. Task 1 was to just build a Lego bridge that spanned a piece of construction paper using only pieces 6 units or less long. Next, it had to withstand an "earthquake" and third, it had to hold as many pennies as possible when placed in a cup in the center of the bridge. Some students took an extra challenge to repeat the challenge set with a bridge than spanned the paper lengthwise!

Most students were also able to add a challenge reflection onto their digital portfolios.

Portfolio Library Link

Today the students continued work on their Earth vs Mars research and presentations. We had to cut many of their works short because we ran out of class time to work. Both research and building a slideshow are new skills for all of the students in the class, so it can be quite the process starting from scratch with these skills. However, by the end of the class, all students were able to work independently and troubleshoot challenges that arose. For students who caught on quickly, we were able to conference and see how to take their work to the next level.

Here is folder containing their presentations whether completed or incomplete. Nearly every student was able to present their work in progress, and we used their research to compile a list of limitations that the students will have to consider when designing Mars habitations next week. 

Students are welcome (but not required) to get a head start designing their Mars habitations at home this week! I would encourage them to think thrugh their daily routines and think about how they would have to change if they lived on Mars.

Portfolio Library Link