Project Build
The Homework Machine
20210123_114229.mp4Do you want to build a homework machine that can help you to learn math facts and help prepare you for tests? You're going to have to test and modify to get this machine to work properly. Do not give up. Keep tweaking until you get it right. Decorate your machine. You can pain it, wrap it in paper, attach wires and lights. It's up to you.
Mask-Ematics
The purpose of engineering is to solve problems or fill a need. Currently, we need to wear masks to stay safe. However, masks can fog-up our eyeglasses. They are difficult to speak through and they often prevent adequate air flow. These are just a few problems; I am sure that we can think of others.
We are going to attempt to make a better mask or at least design one. Engineers are always looking at the world around them and asking, "Can I make it better" or "Can we improve it". That's what we are going to set out to do. We are going to try to improve the mask.
I have set up a google slide where we can all work and share our ideas. The first step in the engineering design process is identify a problem which we did. The second step is to think of ideas to solve the problem (brainstorming). This is the section that we will work on next together. List your ideas on the slide that says "Think of ideas to solve the problem". There are no silly ideas, crazy ideas, wrong ideas, ludicrous ideas, dumb ideas, or nonsense ideas; There are just ideas. AND ideas often lead to new ideas so do not be afraid to record your thoughts. When we brainstorm we do not have to worry about complete sentences or grammar. This is a space to record your thinking. You may have to duplicate the slide to add to it. It's okay if we have 50 slides filled with ideas.
Wind
Day 1: What is wind and where does it come from?
windchime.mp4Watch the video to the left about wind.
Day 2: Coriolis Effect- The Direction of Wind
20210331_145741.mp4Watch the video, look over the slideshow, do your own research and then design and build your own working weather vane. Post a short video of it on Flipgrid.
Day 3: Anemometer OR Barometer
I wasn't going to do this, but I changed my mind. I filmed this video after tomorrow's video so it may not make sense when you watch tomorrow video. You have a choice to design and build a barometer or an anemometer.
Day 4: Go Fly a Kite
kite.mp4It all blows down to this!!! Get it? Blows down....Wind....Get it? Today, we are going to engineer kites. YES.... this is what it was all about. Now that you have some understanding of wind and how wind functions in addition to weather instruments for giving us wind data, we can hopefully build a working kite. YES....I know that we can purchase a kite inexpensively, but remember, engineers are builders. We build to problem solve. So what if you wanted to fly a kite and store was out of them? What would you do? You could build one. That's what Charlie Brown would do. Maybe we can consider Charlie Brown a Jeffer-STEM engineer.
Let's watch Jeffer-STEM's cartoon engineer, build a kite. Notice what happened the first time he walked out of the house. He should have used an anemometer to determine wind speed. He wouldn't have had to build a 2nd kite, but that is what the engineering design process is about (test, modify, test, modify). Also, a weather vane would help him to keep his kite from flying into the mouth of that tree.
Now that you understand wind a little better and kite flying, GO BUILD A KITE!!!!!