OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic astronomy principles as they relate to the Earth, our solar system,  and implications associated with travel to Mars.  Students will also obtain a larger perspective on humankind's place in the universe.

Students worked on the final assignment.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic astronomy principles as they relate to the Earth, our solar system,  and implications associated with travel to Mars.  Students will also obtain a larger perspective on humankind's place in the universe.

Today we had a guest speaker -- Tom Powell.  Mr. Powell presented his theory (developed over a lifetime of curiosity) of how the moon has interacted with the Earth since the Earth's formation.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic astronomy principles as they relate to the Earth, our solar system,  and implications associated with travel to Mars.  Students will also obtain a larger perspective on humankind's place in the universe.

Students started today's assignment.  The focus of today is to identify what makes Earth so special for life.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic astronomy principles as they relate to the Earth, our solar system,  and implications associated with travel to Mars.  Students will also obtain a larger perspective on humankind's place in the universe.

Today, students were asked to list the primary names of individuals responsible for leading us to our current understanding of humankind's place in the universe.  Mr. K prompted students to take notes as necessary during the presentation.  Our Place in the Universe -- Presentation.  You do not need to worry about any of the equations or calculations appearing in these slides.  They are there only for reference and completeness if interested.  Rather, emphasis today was to try to simply listen and take particular note as to the nature of science depicted within the story you hear.  

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Students DID NOT work in the shop on their instruments.  Instead, students were given the period to complete the final project write-up (including recording frequencies recorded by Logger Pro microphones), and practiced playing their songs.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Notice the due date for your musical instruments (to the right).

Students worked on their instruments in the shop.  This is the final day to work on instruments. in the shop.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Students finished the Seeing Sound Lab as needed.  If done with this and their instrument drawings, students were allowed to go to the shop to start building their instruments.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Students worked to complete the Seeing Sound Lab for today.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Students were given time to complete today's assignment related to the previous period's material and notes.  Before this, students were shown this Adding Sine Waves Together Simulation to demonstrate the impact of what occurs when one sound at resonance, with a huge amplitude, gets added to other sound waves with relatively tiny amplitudes.  The resonating frequency (tied to the fundamental frequency and harmonics) overwelm all other sounds and those are the ones we hear.

When and if students finished the Making Notes Assignment, students were asked to start their drawings for the Musical Instrument Project.  Your first task would be to read the assignment in its entirety.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Superposition (what happens when multiple waves encounter one another within a single medium) was discussed.  This principle explains all the sounds we hear (and all the light we see).  Notes -- Waves and Superposition.

Following this, students worked to complete the days assignment.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Class notes from last time were finished.

Next, students were reminded about how scientific notation works, how to use scientific notation when using a calculator, and what the 5 Steps are.  Scientific Notation Notes.

Following this, students worked to complete the days assignment.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

Marble Machines were run and graded.

Marble Machines were dismantled.  Students wishing to take their machines home (minus all electronic and Arduino materials) can do so today.  These machines must be removed from the school because shop space is needed for other projects and other classes.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

Students worked in the shop on their marble machines.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

Students completed a test on Newton's Laws.  Students may use any hand-written notes (of there own) that they have made during the test).

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  There will be a test next Wednesday on Newton's three laws of motion.  You will complete a review sheet on Monday.

As a class, this Nathan Chen Free Skate Assignment was completed (serving as review for the test). 

Students then worked in the shop on their marble machines.  Things should be completed in this order:

1. Get your marble machine finished -- ensure the marble is moving for at least 10 seconds.

2. Place the arduino / breadboard / piezo / motor on the marble machine without loading the code and do whatever is necessary to make it stay on your marble machine.  NO HOT GLUE ON ANY OF THE ELECTRONICS, SENSORS, MOTORS, BREADBOARDS, OR WIRING.  Figure out how to hold them in place with wood that is itself glued to your marble machine.

3. Disconnect your arduino from the wiring.

4. Load your finished sketch on your arduino.

5. Get a battery pack and then do whtaever is necessary to get your arduino and its code to function as required on your marble machine (sense a marble, turn your motor, turn on an LED for 10 seconds and then turn it off).

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

Students are being given a choice:  finish their own marble machine sketch (some extra credit will be awarded in most cases), or take this Provided Marble Machine Sketch and add comments for each line of code explaining what each line of code does, as well as adding initial comments describing what the code does overall.  Students are expected to utilize the Arduino reference page that has been demonstrated in class to get questions answered when making their comments.

When finished, students were allowed to go to the shop to finish working on their marble machines.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

A sample sketch that could be used to accomplish the marble machine tasks was shown and discussed.  These notes today are hints for writing the sketch.

Students were given the period to complete the sketch they are planning to use with their marble machine.  The sketch will need to be verified with a working, breadboarded circuit.  An instructor must observe and then check-off the working circuit.

When finished, students were allowed to go to the shop to finish working on their marble machines.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

The role of flowcharts, coding syntax, and FOR loop structures were discussed to help students understand how the Servo Motor sketch that was provided Monday works.  Notes:  Flowcharts, Servo Motors, Arduinos, and Coding.

After this discussion, students worked to wire their motors.  Students were to show an instructor a working servo moving at two different speeds.

When finished with this, students were to work on making a sketch for their marble machines.  This will involve combining the piezo knocker and servo sketches you have been provided, and making modifications to both of them.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

Students were shown how to code so that a servo motor can be controlled.

Comments for the sketch were talked about and filled in as a class.

Students created a circuit with a servo and used a sketch to make the servo sweep.

Servo Circuit and Sketch Activity

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Shop clean-up assignments have been changed.  They are linked to the top of this calendar page.  Students were reminded about shop clean-up -- everyone has a job and gets a score each day.  Do not come into the classroom before an instruction indicates the shop is clean.

Students who had not finished the activity from the previous day finished this, and then went to the shop to continue work on their marble machines.  Students already finished with the previous day's assignment, went to the shop.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand how to employ both piezo sensors and servo motors when solving problems.

Students were shown basic programming steps when working with a piezo sensor and a servo motor.  For the piezo, we need to be sure to tell the Arduino (in the code) that the signal from the sensor should be an input.  Up to this point, we have not had to deal with this.

Students were given the code for the Piezo Knock Sensor today. They took notes as we discussed what each line of the code does and turned their notes in at the end of class.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

Newton's 3rd Law of Motion, in many ways, is the most confusing of the three laws.  The key to understanding it is to really focus on individual objects.  Class Notes -- Newton's 3rd Law.

Students worked to complete today's assignment.

When finished, students were allowed to go to the shop to start work on their marble machines.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

Newton's 1st Law Video Assignment was finished in class.

Next, Newton's 2nd Law was the topic of discussion today.  Class Notes -- Newton's 2nd Law.

When finished, students were allowed to go to the shop to start work on their marble machines.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

Students were first given 40 minutes to complete their schematic drawings.  Students turned their drawings in for grading and partial credit, but were given the option to take them home and finish them over the weekend.  They are due at the beginning of class on Monday.

Newton's 3rd Laws by themselves can be used to understand the motion of most objects, and how such motion is tied to the forces these objects are experiencing.  We started to discuss these notes.  Class Notes -- Newton's 1st Law.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the concept of force and Newton's Laws and will utilize their understanding to solve problems.

The marble machine project was formally introduced:  Marble Machine Project.

Students built upon their understanding of the concept of force and began to formulate a plan for their marble machine -- this unit's shop project -- by completing today's assignment during class.  

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic programming and using an Arduino microcontroller.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

ANNOUNCMENT:  Today during the advisor period, students will be required to attend the CVHS Trade Fair that will be held in the cafeteria.  After checking in with their advisors, they are to go to the cafeteria and interact with visiting employers.  Students will have a brief written assignment to complete and are to check in with their instructor at the fair for attendance purposes.  Participation is mandatory unless you are not at school, in which case you are to follow-up with the instructor.

This is the final day for students too work on writing their sketches for their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic programming and using an Arduino microcontroller.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Students worked on writing their sketches for their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic programming and using an Arduino microcontroller.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Today's assignment, which is combining what you know about motion with Arduino coding, was discussed.

Students spent the period working on this assignment, likely doing these tasks in this order:

1. Show an instructor your final derby racer (for grading of the physical racer).

2. Obtain the distances needed on the ramp.

3. Determine the acceleration of their derby racers using Logger Pro.

4. Writing their sketchs.

Students who are not done with their derby racers at this point should be planning on coming in outside of class to get them functional.  There will be a number of points associated with this assignment that will impact a student's final grade.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic programming and using an Arduino microcontroller.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Students were given time to complete their blink program and show an instructor. After completing the initial blink program, students manipulated the program to change the time the LED was turned on or off. 

After students completed their programs, they were given time to work in the shop.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic programming and using an Arduino microcontroller.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Students were allowed to work in the shop today on their derby racers.

Students had access to Arduino boards so  that they could fit them to their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic programming and using an Arduino microcontroller.

Students recreated their circuit from last class using a breadboard, LED, 1k ohm resistor and a power supply. 

Students checked the continuity of their circuit with a digital multimeter (DMM).

How an Arduino works and its parts were discussed.

Arduino Notes 

The Blink Program was completed together as a class.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Students completed the unit quiz today.  If you are gone, you will be expected to take the quiz upon your return to class.  BE PREPARED!

Students opting out of the quiz were allowed to go to the shop to work on their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

In preparation for the unit test, students were asked to complete today's assignment (to the right), asking them to apply what they have learned about motion to this cartoon clip.

Following this, students were allowed to go to the shop to work on their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

When finished with the Graph Matching Activity, students were allowed to work in the shop on their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Students used the period to finish the Virtual Motion graphing Assignment (this is due at the beginning of the next class period).

When finished, students went to the shop to work on their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Communicating the motion of an object can be challenging.  Details and precision are important.  While words can be used, physicists have developed graphing tools to communicate the position (and displacement), velocity, and acceleration  of an object.  For now, we will focus on the motion of objects in a single direction (a.k.a. one-dimensional motion).

Students worked to complete today's activity using the classroom computers to get acquainted with displaying motion using graphs. 

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Starting today, students have been assigned specific clean-up tasks (linked above at the top of the calendar, all students are on one of the lists).  During clean-up at the end of each period, students are expected to complete their tasks as soon as possible (floor brooms cannot sweep before hand brooms are finished brushing off equipment and tables).  When finished with their own task, students are to assist someone else and or sweep.  Everyone stays working the entire time until instructors indicate clean-up is finished at the end of the period.  Students receive points each day based on whether their assigned area is cleaned, and whether they stayed busy the entire time during clean-up.

Instructors responded to questions regarding the last class assignment as needed.

Students first completed today's assignment in class.

When finished, students went to the shop to work on their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

Instructors shared some construction tips that might help students when working on derby racers and other projects in the shop.  After that, one of the problems from the Velocity Problems #1 worksheet was reviewed.  Notes -- Velocity and Construction Tips.

Students then worked to complete today's assignment.

When finished, students went to the shop to work on their derby racers.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

For the period, students worked on the following things in this order of priority:

1.   Laser engrave their phone holder (if their file is not done, they will have to now do this outside of class).

2.   Complete the orthographic drawing of their derby racer (this is due today).

3.   Go to the shop and start building their derby racer.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

As review, this Race video was presented.  Students were then asked to respond to a question on Canvas.  Their response required the use of the terms discussed last class:  displacement, distance, speed, velocity, acceleration.

Some additional reminders about the new terms describing motion were presented and discussed.  More Notes About Kinematics.

Students were then asked to complete the day's assignment (linked to the right).  To get full credit, you must do the following:

1. When asked to explain an answer, you must do so to get full credit.

2. When asked to used specific words in your explanation (like "displacement"), then displacement MUST show up in your answer for credit.

3. One word or one number answers ARE NOT ENOUGH  when asked to compare two different things.

4. Your score is reflecting what you SHOW you know in your answer, not necessarily just what you know.  If you leave it up to your teachers to interpret a cryptic response, then you likely won't get full, or even any, credit.

Students used the rest of the period to complete any missing assignments.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand basic kinematics and correctly apply concepts and terminology to their lives.

The impact of late work upon a student's grade was discussed at the beginning of class.  This Class Grade Simulation, merely a spreadsheet providing a visual demonstration of the impact when assignments are consistently turned in late, was used.  Students were reminded that:

1. • Things turned in within one week late incurs a 20% deduction.

   • Things turned in within two weeks late incur a 50% deduction.

   • Things turned in over two weeks late incur an 80% deduction.

   • Besides the point penalty (which is intended to encourage students to get things done in a timely fashion), there is an even more serious consequence to consistently turning things in late.  Typically, when you are behind, you are not ready to move on to new material when you are in class.  So not only are you playing catch-up, but you are less able and ready to stand the next day's new material.  In most classes, material and learning grows on previous activities.

   • All is not lost.  So long as the assignment does come in completed, the syllabus outlines a means for students to earn back points that were not earned the first time.  But this is on the students to follow through on.  The teacher will not initiate this for the student.

Also, students may always request extensions on assignments as long as

1. the request is made in person.

2. the request is made prior to the date something is due.

3. the student has used their time in class well.

Please, please request extensions if needed.

This coming long weekend is a great opportunity for students to "reset".  Make it a goal to get all your late work done and to start fresh starting next week.

The first science topic we will be studying is known as Kinematics -- the study of motion.  There are specific terms that must be used if one wishes to accurately and correctly communicate the motion of an object.  This was started with students completing the assignment for today.

Once finished with today's assignment, students were allowed to work on missing work.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will begin to identify possible career paths that they wish to pursue and learn about more.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  At this point, in order to be permitted in the shop, students must have their class contract in, and must have all safety tests and corrections completed.

Students worked to complete the Career Exploration Activity.  In order to complete this activity, students will need to open this  Student Budget Worksheet.  Before you can edit this worksheet, you will need to go to "Make a Copy" under the FILE menu of Google Sheets.  This will save a copy to your drive that you can now edit. 

OBJECTIVE:  Students will learn Adobe Illustrator to the point where they are able to produce files that can be laser engraved, CNC-routed with the Shaper Origins, and UV printed.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will become more comfortable using equipment in the shop.

ANNOUNCEMENT:  Starting today, if you do not have your signed contract turned in, or still have not completed all the safety tests and corrections . . . you must complete these before being allowed to work in the shop.

Students use the period to work on their phone holders in the shop, unless they were working on tests and test corrections.  Students still completing tests will have to find other time to catch up in the shop.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will learn Adobe Illustrator to the point where they are able to produce files that can be laser engraved, CNC-routed with the Shaper Origins, and UV printed.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will become more comfortable using equipment in the shop.

The next shop-based project is for students to create a phone holder that will be laser engraved. 

Phone Holder Plan of Procedure (POP)

Phone Holder Drawing

Today, students used what they learned to create a unique logo design that will be engraved upon their phone holders.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will learn Adobe Illustrator to the point where they are able to produce files that can be laser engraved, CNC-routed with the Shaper Origins, and UV printed.

Students were first asked to submit their Illustrator First Designed Project that was completed last period (but we didn't have enough time to save to Canvas).  Students were reminded to always save files on their Google Drive, not merely on their computer.

Next, students completed the Illustrator Level 1 Assignment.

When enough students finished the Level 1 Assignment, instructors showed students how to use the pen tool. 

Students finished with the Level 1 Assignment, worked on the Bezier Game.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will master the general safety practices associated with use of the shop, as well as specific practices associated with  the band saws, scroll saws, floor sanders, and spindle sanders.

Students watched the Scroll Saw Safety Video first.

For the rest of the period, students were to do the following, however the order in which items were completed was not important:

• Complete the two scroll saw steps on the First Cuts Project.

• Complete the Drill Press Safety Test on Canvas (DUE TODAY).

• Complete test corrections if needed (DUE TODAY).

• Complete the three stationary sanders steps on the First Cuts Project.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will master the general safety practices associated with use of the shop, as well as specific practices associated with  the band saws, scroll saws, floor sanders, and spindle sanders.

Given the short period, students did not go out into the shop.   Students completed the following things in this order of priority:

1. Complete the Band Saw Safety Test on Canvas.

2. Complete test corrections if needed for the Band Saw Test.

3. Watch the Stationary Sanders Safety Video.

4. Complete the Stationary Sanders Test on Canvas and do test corrections if needed.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will master the general safety practices associated with use of the shop, as well as specific practices associated with  the band saws, scroll saws, floor sanders, and spindle sanders.

Generally in this class, while science concepts are studied, students will also be completing projects in the shop.  Working in the shop has numerous safety considerations to think about.  Safety will always be our #1 priority.  Students were taken out in the shop and general safety considerations were discussed.

Following this, students returned to the classroom and completed the General Shop Safety Test on Canvas.  For any question answered wrong, a student must write out on a piece of paper a complete, stand-alone statement that summarizes the correct concept that the question missed was targeting on the test.  For instance, "Safety glasses must be worn always" is not a sufficient stand-alone statement because there is no context.  "Safety glasses must be worn at all times IN THE SHOP" however can stand alone because context is given. These test corrections can be done on paper and can be turned into the basket in the room.  The student's name and the test in question should be on the paper.

Students were allowed to use the rest of the period to complete their Reinventing the Wheel Project report.

Students selected a pair of safety glasses and labelled them.  Instructors will engrave the glasses and the glasses will live within lockers in the classroom.

Students who are also in Woodworking this year will recognize some overlap of content.  Woodworking students will not have to take the safety tests again.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to utilize Adobe Illustrator so that they can employ some of the school's equipment in projects.

Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based program that will allow you to create a design on the computer that can then be processed with some of the equipment here at CV.  We will first use it to cut out the wheels you are designing for your first Reinventing the Wheel Project.  In class, your teachers showed you some of the basics in how to use Illustrator.  You will use what you learn to do the next couple of assignments. 

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to utilize Adobe Illustrator so that they can employ some of the school's equipment in projects.

Adobe Illustrator is a vector-based program that will allow you to create a design on the computer that can then be processed with some of the equipment here at CV.  We will first use it to cut out the wheels you are designing for your first Reinventing the Wheel Project.  In class, your teachers showed you some of the basics in how to use Illustrator.  You will use what you learn to do the next couple of assignments. 

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to access the class website, the Canvas class, complete the initial class survey, and access the class syllabus and contract.

Students were given a brief introduction to the class.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will understand the basic properties and characteristics of waves and wave motion.

OBJECTIVE:  Students will be able to explain a wave as the motion of energy traveling through some medium.

Students finished the Seeing Sound Lab as needed.  If done with this and their instrument drawings, students were allowed to go to the shop to start building their instruments.