"You know what you know when you know it; however, the more you know, the less you actually know about it"... R.Dosch
"You know what you know when you know it; however, the more you know, the less you actually know about it"... R.Dosch
February 9, 2026
Monday
Warm-up: Total 21 (7)
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
strength test... single level... Major Grade
3 books is a 100
2 books is a 88
1 book is a 76
0 books but a stable structure is a 70
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Rocket science concepts slideshow
Newton's 3 Laws of Energy
Rocket design and building... Origami Rocket
Find and create two variations of an origami rocket... one by each partner
Redesign one as a "larger" version
decorate rocket
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars
analyze toy car designs and features
axles, wheels, ability to roll straight
Research how to build your car... take notes and illustrate features
Itemize ALL materials you will need based on what is available
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars (slideshow)
balloon inflation and release... most potential energy?
Balloon Car Project (guide)
materials you will need, organize in bag
plan body design and cut & organize all pieces to car
Thursday
Grade 7: Rocket science concepts slideshow (slide 9-10)
finding angles in the real world using a protractor
Test "best" angle for optimal performance of your rocket when attached to the straw, RESULTS?
begin working on slideshow presentation
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars (rubric)
assemble vehicle and begin testing for movement; make adjustments as needed
begin working on slideshow presentation... share with partner(s)
take images of car
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:Rocket science concepts slideshow
Continue to test rocket designs and make sure content is ready for slideshow... adhere to rubric requirements (rubric)... document all work via Slideshow
presentations will be on Wednesday
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars
Continue to test car designs and make sure content is ready for slideshow... adhere to rubric requirements (rubric)... document all work via Slideshow
presentations will be on Wednesday
February 16, 2026
Monday
No School... ENJOY!
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
absent... complete puzzle packet
Grade 8:
absent... complete puzzle packet
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:Rocket science concepts
finalize presentations and testing.... grade as per rubric (submit in Google Classroom)
make presentations... test rocket on string course
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars
finalize presentations and testing.... grade as per rubric (submit in Google Classroom)
make presentations... test car on ramp
Thursday
Warm-up: Who Are We (8), What's For Dinner (9)
Grade 7:
Mini-Golf: interactive
play against a peer, then demo in front of class explaining strategy
Putting challenge... hit ball into box (for class falcon feathers)
Science behind Mini-Golf
Force: factors that influence the amount of force needed... Holey Moley
Angles: adjusting angles for a specific outcome (bounce ball off wall)
Observe mini-golf holes made from prior classes
Course Theme
Choose partner, Choose a theme for your course, Choose a box
Open the box for the course (horizontal or vertical)
Grade 8:
Stopping Challenge: slide a chip as close to target as possible; first to 10 points
discuss sliding friction
Rolling Challenge... stop ball closest to wall without hitting it
Friday (Day of Service)
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Mini-golf course (grading requirements)
Golf Course: Begin Construction (grading requirements)
Design & Create a way to keep the box closed... this task will be graded by completion Thursday
think about the way things stay closed... ties, latches, insert with wedge
Ramp ideas for the hole placement
design where/how you would like to place the hole
gather materials and begin assembling
lay out the ramp as well as the hole, lay out the obstacles that'll be used, begin designing
Grade 8: Parking a car (Ramp Project)
Slideshow for Science and Math behind ramp design and rolling friction
basics of slope and pythagorean theorem
Ramp Project description
Choose partner(s) and a toy vehicle for activity
Create ramp to test ability to park a car at a set distance in a given location
Test first design and record results... what modifications need to be made? Document
February 23, 2026
Monday
Warm-up: Who Are We (8), What's For Dinner (9)
Grade 7:
Golf Course: Construction (grading requirements)
Continue assembling.. try to complete most of the construction today
a ramp should be built & functional, obstacles should be planned & placement should begin
test your course to see if any modifications are needed
Grade 8:
Modify Ramp design... make modifications until successful description
document changes... once successful, take apart and reassemble (consistent results)
Tuesday
Warm-up: Sudoku (10)
Grade 7:
Golf Course: Test (grading requirements)
Finish assembling... Complete construction today
test for functionality, modify if needed
Work on slideshow presentation... Make sure you are documenting progress with photos
Tomorrow you will submit slideshow/doc in Google Classroom...5 minutes tomorrow
Grade 8:
Finalize Ramp design... are you able to repeatably be successful?
Finish slideshow (adhere to rubric)... if needed, please share any videos with me
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Golf Course: Presentations (grading requirements)
Finalize documentation of course progression... submit slideshow/doc in Google Classroom
Make course presentations
Grade 8:
Present Ramp Projects
all grading done according to rubric
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Golf Course: Presentations (grading requirements)
Try playing each course during today's class
GMO: Create your own genetically modified organism
Slideshow for evolution (slides 1-5)
Create a class list of "alpha" organisms... determine beneficial traits as well as limiting traits for each
Grade 8: Ramp Presentations and Animation Project
Create a digital animation using Google Classroom (rubric and requirements)
with partner plan what story you will be telling... will it be digital or hand drawn?
samples: dancing, super mario, mega man, sonic, sponge bob, powerpuff girls
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: GMO: Create your own genetically modified organism
Individually identify what attributes you would feel could make the "perfect" organism
genetic modification (slides 6-8)
research/identify living organisms whose traits are "good"... details and grading criteria
Grade 8: Stop-Motion Animation
Continue your animation project (rubric and requirements)
samples: dancing, super mario, mega man, sonic, sponge bob, powerpuff girls
March 2, 2026
Monday
No School... ENJOY!
Tuesday
Warm-up: Make As Many Words As Possible (12)
Grade 7: GMO: Create your own genetically modified organism
Create a digital collage (Google slide) that identifies all the "best" traits an organism can have
Utilize AI to create the creature in its environment
Grade 8: Animation Project
Continue your animation project... digital or hand-drawn (rubric and requirements)
Finalize project today... presentations tomorrow
Wednesday
Warm-up: Total 21 (13)
Grade 7: GMO: Share your Genetically Modified Organism with the Class details and grading criteria
Share projects with the class
Grade 8: Animation Project (rubric and requirements)
Share class presentations
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge
Lego Challenge: create a structure based on a peer's description
building according to directions
Strategy behind the game of Angry Birds "harmful birds"
Slideshow explaining the science behind catapults
what is slope vs a parabola (Math)
Grade 8: Table Top Game
Lego Challenge: create a structure based on a peers description
building according to directions
Brainstorm with partner a game you could build for the class (examples)
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge: moving a projectile for a specific purpose
popsicle flick and catch challenge... catch a popscile in a cup when flipped by a partner
Research how to build a catapult... look up different ideas/designs (handout)
determine your materials and how many you will need for your design:
we have popsicle sticks, rubberbands, plastic spoon
create notes for design steps and try to assemble catapult to make sure your design is buildable
Grade 8: Table Top Game (requirements)
Begin creating the table top game
Plan Design, materials needed, rules, cover for design
organize materials, begin making.. make sure it fits your chosen box
March 9, 2026
Monday
Warm-up: Make As Many Words As Possible (14)
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge: moving a projectile for a specific purpose
look over your design plan for building, with the set materials (handout)
assemble catapult AGAIN!!!! Show me you can build it without the computer
write directions as to how to build, take photos of building steps... create sldieshow
Grade 8: Table Top Game (requirements)
continue assembling table-top game
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge: moving a projectile for a specific purpose
Finalize catapult details... directions, assembly images
type directions as to how to build, take photos of building steps... create sldieshow
Post slideshow in Google Classroom so I can print out for you (due at end of class)
Grade 8: Table Top Game (requirements)
continue assembling table-top game
create game/assembly instructions, include photos
design a cover for the game box... include a game title/name
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge
1st half of class... Test for ability of launching the projectile
can go over a stack of 6 cups (1st challenge)
knock over at least 3 out of the 6 cups (2nd challenge)
2nd half of class... Create an origami basket to catch a projectile in
Try to catch the projectile at least 5 times in your basket
Grade 8: Table Top Game
continue assembling table-top game
create game/assembly instructions, include photos
design a cover for the game box... include a game title/name
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge
share your catapult with another group... they will build it according to your directions
test launching ability compared to how the creators did when they built it
Grade 8: Table Top Game requirements
Finish building your games... This is your last day to work on this
Finalize your slideshow
Tomorrow you MUST complete your slideshow... presentations will begin at approximately the midway point of the class with presnetations being completed by Wednesday
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Vortex Cannon: Moving Air... slideshow (slides 1-4)
Discuss how air moves from high pressure to lower pressure
successfully invert a cup with water... do not spill any out
Air takes up space not occupied by other matter
Climbing Water: Paper Towel in colored water; trap water from a cup in a straw
Grade 8: Table Top Game
Finalize your slideshows, due by the midpoint of class
post slideshow in Google Classroom so I can print out for you
Begin Presentations today (rubric and requirements)
Set up and share via a class demo how to play/objective of the game
March 16, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Vortex Cannon: Moving Air... slideshow (slides 5-6)
Rate of Air moving on Earth... convection demo (heat lamp and radiometer)
Imploding an Aluminum can... discuss water evaporation vs condensation as well as roles of conductors for heat transfer
Grade 8: Table Top Game
If needed, finish the class presentations
Class will play a couple of the table top games by rotating around the room every few minutes
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Vortex Cannon: Moving Air... slideshow (slides 7-10)
Research how to create a vortex cannon
take notes and design your prototype
determine which material will be used: cup(s), water bottle, box, balloon
Grade 8: Paper Airplane (distance vs accuracy vs hangtime)
Science behind creating a paper airplane
Create a plane of your own design
Create a second plane from the handout provided
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Vortex Cannon: Moving Air
construct a vortex cannon... try to maximize distance(s)
can it move dangling toilet paper?
practice building a card tower in preparation for our "Test"... cannon will knock it over
Grade 8: Paper Airplane (distance vs accuracy vs hangtime)
Research airplane designs, write down the steps on how to make the airplane
choose a category you want to enter and "win"
build the plane... take pictures of the steps as you build it
create a "how to" slideshow for your plane
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Vortex Cannon: Moving Air
Share cannon design... each group will share briefly (no slideshow)
Class challenges:
knock over a tower of cards from a distance of 18 inches: 1 blast for 3 levels= 100
1 blast for 2 levels or 2 blasts for 3 levels= 92 2 blast for 2 levels or 3 blasts for 3 levels= 85
knock over 2 or 3 levels with 3 blasts or more= 80
knock over just a single level= 75
Grade 8: Paper Airplane (distance vs accuracy vs hangtime)
Create a plane based on YOUR written instructions... slideshow
Finish your digital design
Test your design in each category but your hope is to win your "choice"
make any adjustments that may be needed
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Maze Designs
complete mazes in class... to be used as inspiration
digital as well as paper-based
Grade 8: Paper Airplane (distance vs accuracy vs hangtime)
Share your airplane design with the class
Test your airplane... in each of the 3 categories
Class spreadsheet will be recorded with points being awarded for each category from 1st-9th
grade will be based on final score (sum of your 3 test placments)
1st place:100; 2nd place:97; 3rd place:94; 4th place: 91; 5th place:88; 6th place: 85;
7th place:82; 8th-9th place will earn 80
March 23, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Maze Designs (rubric)
design a maze that you would like to create... sketch out ideas
identify materials you will use
create a theme for your maze
Grade 8: Marble Course
design layout of how you will build the track with your partner (description)
slideshow explaining the basics
begin planning how stilts will be made as well as how the track will be made
use computers to research ideas
plan roles for each member... idebtifying who is responsible for what
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Maze Designs (rubric)
begin to assemble your maze... begin designing the theme for your maze
document progress using chromebook
Grade 8: Marble Coaster (description)
With a partner continue designing a plan to build a two-person track
submit blueprint/plan for approval
one track will be "wide" and start at a high elevations, the other rack will be "narrow" and start at a lower elevation
the tracks must connect at a "v" intersection
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Maze Designs (rubric)
continue to assemble and decorating your maze
document progress using chromebook
Grade 8: Marble Coaster (description)
With a partner continue assembling a two-person track
make sure requirements are being met... how did you incorporate the Bonus Challenges?!?
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Maze Designs (rubric)
Finalize the assembly and decorating of your maze
Finalize slideshow documentation
test to make sure it works
Grade 8: Marble Coaster (description)
With a partner continue the assembly of a two-person track... check description for details
Today's grades are based on:
100: tracks are more than 50% assembled
90: tracks are about 50% assembled
80: tracks are starting to be built with supports in place
50: minimal effort made with making the track(s)
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7 and 8: Make Me "Something"
Research an inspirational item to build (ideas)
Identify "cool" features that you may want to include
take notes, sketch ideas... what materials will you be using for its construction
drawing and plan(s) MUST be approved prior to any building to occur
may be done independently or with a partner
March 30, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Maze Designs (rubric)
Present your maze project
As a class we will try the different mazes that were made
Continue the "make me" project that was started on Friday
Grade 8: Marble Coaster (description)
Finalize coaster assembly
Share your marble roller coaster... assessed using the provided description and rubric
Continue the "make me" project
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7 and 8: Make Me "Something"
Gather and organize materials, begin cutting out and organizing parts
Use your research as inspiration as you design your project
Once pieces are ALL cut you may begin assembling
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7 and 8: Make Me "Something"
finish cutting out and organizing parts
Assembling the structure/thing should be a focus today
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7 and 8: Make Me "Something"
Continue the assembly of your project... make sure you adhere to rubric
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7 and 8: Make Me "Something"
Finalize assembly
Make sure to have your slideshow with the inspiration and your project's 3 images
April 6, 2026
Monday
Spring Break... ENJOY!!!
Tuesday
Spring Break... ENJOY!!!
Wednesday
Spring Break... ENJOY!!!
Thursday
Spring Break... ENJOY!!!
Friday
Spring Break... ENJOY!!!
April 13, 2026
Monday (Last day of 3rd Marking Period)
Warm-up:
Grade 7 and 8: Make Me "Something"
Share your project with the class
Tuesday (First day of 4th marking period)
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8: