These are projects that have been done in the past for Design Tech, more so as a collection of awesomeness!
Using the PBL Unit from TPT, students created their own food truck concept, business plan, logo, design, menu, blueprint, and final 2-D and 3-D Food Truck. Throughout the project math concepts like area and perimeter were practiced, as well as perspective. We culminated with a Food Truck Rally, where students showcased their trucks and some even brought in food to share!
Students created projects that integrated devices that needed to be coded. Students created software for the Micro:bit, Circuit Playground Express, and The Brain Pad.
This student coded the music notes from, "My Heart Will Go On" to play on the ship that he built.
These students created a spinner using the Circuit Playground Express.
This student created a Makey Makey piano with simple circuits, as well as integrated the Micro:bit.
Students that were interested in Minecraft integrated it several times during the semester. Here students created holiday scenes in Minecraft for their holiday project.
Students had to create a checkerboard project. The goal was to have it be able to move. We received a box full of goodies from Vans and the Imagination Foundation, including a lot of great Makedo sets for cardboard creativity!
Students engaged in several coding experiences, including getting to know the basics of Computational Thinking, learning skills from Code.org, coding apps on Bits Box, and physical computing on MakeCode.
Students completed 2 lessons in Google Applied Digital Skills. First, they created pixel art using conditional formatting in Google Sheets. Then they created an If/Then Choose Your Own Adventure Story using hyperlinks in Google Slides.
Mini-Cardboard Challenge
Students were able to use a wide-variety of techniques and their inventiveness to create some pretty awesome designs!
Students went through the process of following specific directions to create a geodesic dome using precise measurements. This was a difficult project, but students felt great pride when they were done.
Students went through a variety of tutorials to create things on Tinkercad, which is a 3-D designing platform.
After having a strong sense of pixel art, students then transferred their knowledge and created their own animated pixel art using an app called Piskel! Students had to animate using at least 5 frames, but most created even more!
This is one of those animations that have a ton of frames!!! I love when students go over and beyond my expectations and take pride in their work!
Students used their creativity and use of transparent images to build a room for a character of their choice in Google Slides.
Students went through the Design Thinking Process/Enginerring Design Process to create a project using 50 popsicle sticks.
Students 3-D printed game pieces, created a board, and coded on Scratch to bring their own Operation game to life using a Makey Makey.
Students had a client of a historical character to create a treehouse for. They had to use an empathy map and create a blueprint before building their treehouse.
Treehouses had to be between 12-18 inches and no more than 8 inches wide. It also had to have at least 2 points of entry and exit from the ground. It needed to have interior elements including furniture, and it had to represent their historical person well. There also needed to be an element of decorative woodworking.
Groups of students needed to create thematic coasters that were over 4 feet tall that kept the marble in motion for at least 30 seconds. They also were challenged with working on large groups, something they don't get to experience quite often. We worked on developing soft-skills, in addition to the technical skills that were part of this project.
Students worked in groups to design a 3-hole table-top putt putt course. They had many criteria to follow including a 3-D printed element, using exactly 50 popsicle sticks on one hold, elevated obstacles, the use of motors, tunnels, and more!
Students used Google Drawings to create pop art from images they found! Here are some that were quite complex!
Students in 7th and 8th grades created a bottle rocket that launched with the power of air and water! They soared into the air and went quite high...if they were engineered correctly! Students enjoyed decorating them too.
Students engaged in 3 different labs that focused on engineering. There was a paper engineering lab that focused on paper roller coasters, a cardboard engineering project that allowed students to learn about cardboard connections to create a spinning carnival ride, and then students were involved with physical computing and 3D printing by creating a mascot in Tinkercad and integrating the Micro:bit programmed with carnival music and lights.
Students got into groups and designed an award for one of the staff members. The awards were then sent to the laser cutter. Students created award speeches and presented their awards to the staff member. :)
8th grade students were highly engaged created synchronized dances with at least 2 robots. They had criteria and constraints to follow and used the Sphero EDU app to create a program for their dance. Click here to view an example.