This is a multi-grade project with fourth and fifth grade students working together at each school towards the goal of building a full model railroad layout. This project makes curricular connections with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (aka S.T.E.A.M.) in a number of ways. It incorporates WHPS curricular objectives, State Standards, and Next Generation Science Standards.
Science
This project makes connections with the Next Generation Science Standards by:
Grade K:
- Understanding forces and interactions (through pushing and pulling freight cars)
- Understanding how to change the speed of an object (locomotive)
- Understanding how to change the direction of an object (locomotive)
Grade 2:
- Selecting materials based on properties (for the construction of modules)
Grade 3:
- Understanding forces in motion (S-curves pull freight cars off the track)
Grade 4:
- Understanding electrical currents (for our model railroad layout)
- Understanding how we know energy is there
- Understanding conductive materials (nickel-silver track is good, why?)
- Understanding electrical waves (sine wave for DC power/square wave for DCC)
- Understanding the three different rock types (modeling igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic)
- Understanding the effects of gravitational forces (modules are not level)
Grade 5:
- Selecting materials based on properties (for the construction of modules)
- Understanding rise over run (maximum grade before a locomotives wheels slip)
Technology
This project makes connections with the Technology Curriculum by:
- Building a microcomputer using a Raspberry Pi B+.
- Building a power supply using an Arduino and motor shield.
- Writing code on the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which will enable the Arduino and motor shield to convert Direct Current (DC) in the form of a sine wave into Digital Command Control (DCC) in the form of a square wave.
- Developing a better understanding of the purpose WiFi through programming the Raspberry Pi to create a wireless network and connecting to it with school owned iPads.
- Developing a better understanding of the purpose of Bluetooth through connecting the iPads with handheld virtual reality controllers in order to control locomotives.
Engineering
Engineering is included at every grade level in the Next Generation Science Standards. Students will construct their single module using the specifications outlined on www.T-TRAK.org. Students will measure their modules and check that they are square using a T-square and by measuring across the board from opposite corners. Students will understand how the use of t-nuts and hex bolts allows the module to be adjusted for leveling. Students will organize the modules in different layouts and use graph paper to share their design.
Art
This project makes connections with the Art Curriculum by:
- Unique decoration of each module
- Prototypical (modeled after a specific piece of railroad during a specific era)
- Modeling a significant place (Yankee Stadium corner) which may not have a railroad
- Scenic Modeling
- Painting
- Ground cover (using a variety of textures and colors)
- Porous and non-porous materials (plaster vs MDF)
- Extruded foam for hills and valleys
- Model kit structures
- 3D Print structures and paint them
- Weathering
- Creating rivers and lakes
Math
This project makes connections with the Math Curriculum by:
- Use of the metric system to measure the modules (i.e. Millimeters > Centimeters)
- Addition and subtraction in the metric system to create (doubles, triples, etc length modules)
- Measuring a layout that was constructed in millimeters to fit on folding tables measured in inches
- Determining radius of track for corner modules
- Understanding N scale and the ratio of 1:160.
- If each locomotive uses ___ amps of power (approximately 0.2) how many locomotives can be run on a 3 amp power supply?