"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
March 30, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Sailboat (practice) (rubric)
Try to finish building the sailboats
Make any adjustments and conducts tests:
Grade 8: Maze Designs (rubric)
Finalize the assembly and decorating of your maze
practice to make sure it works
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Sailboat (rubric)
Finalize boat assembly
Test sailboats in water
how many breaths? How many marbles?
Grade 8: Maze Designs (rubric)
Present your maze project.. demonstrate in front of class
As a class we will try the different mazes that were made
Wednesday
Grade 7 Make Me "Something" (rubric)
If needed, finish boat testing
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
Grade 8: Magnetic Suspension (rubric)
If needed, finish Maze project presesentations
design an idea that allows for two features to connect magnetically while allowing for one two give the illusion of being suspended in air
reseach and sketch out plan
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7 : Make Me "Something" (rubric)
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
Grade 8: Magnetic Suspension (rubric)
design should be approved by today
begin sketching out pieces and coloring them
Friday (1/2 day: Color Run)
Grade 7: Make Me "Something" (rubric)
finish cutting out and organizing parts
Assembling the structure/thing should be a focus today
Grade 8: Magnetic Suspension (rubric)
continue sketching out pieces
begin cutting out pieces and planning how to assemble (store pieces in a bag)
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
Grade 7: Make Me "Something" (rubric)
Continue the assembly of your project... make sure you adhere to rubric
Grade 8: Magnetic Suspension (rubric)
finish cutting out pieces and planning how to assemble (store pieces in a bag)
begin assembling
Tuesday
Grade 7: Make Me "Something" (rubric)
Finalize assembly
Make sure to have your slideshow with the inspiration and your project's 3 images
Grade 8: Magnetic Suspension (rubric)
finish assembling
make sure magnet holds
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Make Me "Something" (rubric)
Share your project with the class
Grade 8: Magnetic Suspension (rubric)
share your project with the class
Thursday (Last day of 3rd Marking Period)
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Finish presentations and wrap up course
Grade 8:
Finish presentations and wrap up course
Friday (First day of 4th marking period)
Warm-up: Unscramble the Phrase (1), Create the Equation (2)
Review class expectations
arrive to class "On-Time"
Be supportive and positive of peers (and Me)
Clean-up... leave room as it appeared when you arrived
Materials needed: notebook/binder (may be shared with another subject) and a pen/pencil
Join Google Classroom
Go over sample projects from Class Instagram
April 20, 2026
Monday
Warm-up: Connect The Shapes (3), Intro to Sudoku (4-5)
Discuss what STEM is
"cool" engineering... OUR FUTURE!
Amazon Future predictions (link)
Spinning Coin Challenge: Penny vs Quarter
Tuesday
Warm-up: Shuffle Cards
Science behind card building (link)
Card Stacking: try to build a rectangular shaped box (sides and top)
try building multiple boxes side by side and then atop of one another
Card Stacking: try to build triangle shaped structures (sides only)
try building multiple triangles side by side and then atop of one another
Wednesday
Warm-up: Make As Many Words As Possible.. in 2 minutes (6)
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
Build two layers
Build a single layer that can support a single textbook
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE... build for strength as well as height
Thursday
Shuffle Cards
100: smooth shuffle; 92: chunky shuffle; 85: thumb roll w/ both hands; 80 single thumb roll
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
Choose a strategy to build the tallest structure... Major Grade
tallest structure recieves a 100 plus 10 falcon feathers
3 or more levels is a 100
2 levels is a 88
1 level is a 76
Friday
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
April 27, 2026
Monday
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: Propelled 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
Tuesday (NJSLA: Reading... shortened classes)
Grade 7: Science Behind Rockets (video) (dropping video)
kinetic vs potential energy... slideshow (slide 1-8)
balloon inflation and release... most potential energy?
Balloon Rocket Project (guide)
collect materials in bag
Grade 8: Propelled Cars
Rubberband release and Balloon release... most potential energy?
Balloon Car Project
materials you will need, organize in bag
design your vehicle.. to be included in your presentation
Wednesday
Grade 7: Rocket science concepts slideshow (slide 9-10)
Test "best" angle for optimal performance of your rocket when attached to the straw, RESULTS?
begin working on slideshow presentation
Grade 8: Propelled Cars (rubric)
Plan for holes and cuts to materials
assemble vehicle and begin testing for movement; make adjustments as needed
begin working on slideshow presentation
Thursday (NJSLA: Writing... shortened classes)
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 Tomorrow
Grade 8: Propelled 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 Tomorrow
Friday
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
May 4, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
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
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
Tuesday (NJSLA: Math... shortened classes)
Grade 7: Mini-golf course (grading requirements)
Golf Course: Begin Construction
determine a theme for the course
design where/how you would like to place the hole
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
Wednesday
Grade 7: Golf Course: Construction (grading requirements)
finalize design idea and theme
Cut out pieces for design... begin assembly
Grade 8: Car Ramps
Modify Ramp design... make modifications until successful description
document changes... once successful, take apart and reassemble (consistent results)
be specific on your data collection so you can easily convert values as shown in class
Thursday
Warm-up: Sudoku (10)
Grade 7: Golf Course: Day to Assemble (grading requirements)
Start assembling... try to add some of the decorations
test for functionality, modify if needed
Work on slideshow presentation... Make sure you are documenting progress with photos
Grade 8: Car Ramps
Finalize Ramp design... are you able to repeatably be successful?
Finish slideshow (adhere to rubric)... please share any videos with me via Google Drive
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Golf Course: Building Day (grading requirements)
Complete construction today
Work on slideshow presentation... Make sure you are documenting progress with photos
Grade 8: Car Ramp
Present Ramp Projects
all grading done according to rubric
May 11, 2026
Monday
Grade 7: Golf Course: Building Day (grading requirements)
Complete construction today
Tomorrow you will submit slideshow/doc in Google Classroom...10 minutes tomorrow
Grade 8: Animation Project
Brainstorm a digital animation using Google Slideshow (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
Tuesday (NJSLA: Science Day 1... Grade 8; Blocks 1&2)
Grade 7: Golf Course: Presentations (grading requirements)
Finalize documentation of course progression... submit slideshow/doc in Google Classroom
Make course presentations today.. try courses as they are shared with the class
Grade 8: Stop-Motion Animation
Continue your animation project (rubric and requirements)
begin making digtal project
Wednesday (NJSLA: Science Day 2... Grade 8; Blocks 1&2))
Warm-up:
Grade 7: GMO: Create your own genetically modified organism details and grading criteria
research/identify living organisms whose traits are "good"...
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)
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: GMO: Create your own genetically modified organism details and grading criteria
Finish research and creation of AI creature(s)
Grade 8: Animation Project
Continue your animation project... digital or hand-drawn (rubric and requirements)
Friday
Warm-up: Total 21 (13)
Grade 7: GMO: Share your Genetically Modified Organism with the Class details and grading criteria
Finalize slideshows ... 5-10 minutes
Begin presentations today
Grade 8: Animation Project (rubric and requirements)
Share class presentations
May 18, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge
Drawing Challenge: create an illustration based on a peer's description
Strategy behind the game of Angry Birds "harmful birds"
Slideshow explaining the science behind catapults
Grade 8: Table Top Game
Drawing Challenge: create an illustration based on a peer's description
Brainstorm with partner a game you could build for the class (examples)
Tuesday
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 of each you will need for your design:
we have popsicle sticks, rubberbands, plastic spoon, small cups
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 your design, the materials needed, the rules, and the game cover for design (AI)
organize materials, begin assembling
Wednesday
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 slideshow
Grade 8: Table Top Game (requirements)
continue assembling table-top game
Thursday
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
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Catapult Challenge
1st half of class... Test for ability of launching the projectile
Knock over at least 3 out of the 6 cups (1st challenge)
Distance test: Farthest (100), then 3 points less for each place afte
Lowest grade will be 80 pending "effort" was made
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
May 25, 2026
Monday
No School
Enjoy your day off!
Tuesday
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
can the new catapult launch a projectile over a stack of cups?
Grade 8: Table Top Game requirements
Finish building your games... This is your last day to work on this
Finalize your game... get feedback from a class peer for any recommendations
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Box Noggins Intro (requirements)
Learn how to fold and make shapes with paper
create a cube (rectangular prism)
sketch the faces (sides) of each shape and then cut out and tape together
Tomorrow we will be making these (start at 2:00)
Grade 8: Table Top Game
Presentations today (rubric and requirements)
Set up and share via a class demonstration
Play each others' games during class
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Box Noggins (requirements)
Plan your character that you want to make (ideas)
identifythe shapes you will need for your figure... oversized head, torso (body), arms, legs
Begin drawing character on the net shapes.. head first, then torso/body
if time allows start to cut out and fold the shapes' nets (store in bag)
Grade 8: Paper Airplane (distance vs accuracy vs hangtime)
Science behind creating a paper airplane
Create a plane of your own design.. test it out (distance, hangtime, accuracy)
Research and fold a second plane
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
June 1, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Tuesday
No School... Enjoy your day off!
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
June 8, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Tuesday
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:
June 15, 2026
Monday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Tuesday (Early dismissal)
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Wednesday (Early dismissal)
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Thursday (Early dismissal)
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Friday
Juneteenth... No School
Enjoy the long weekend!
June 22, 2026
Monday (Early dismissal)
Warm-up:
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Tuesday (Last Day of School... Early dismissal)
Grade 7:
Grade 8:
Wednesday
Summer Break... ENJOY!
Thursday
Summer Break... ENJOY!
Friday
Summer Break... ENJOY!