Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
3rd Period at the Races!
7 entries for 3rd Period... Our largest field yet!
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"Content is King" - Guest appearance by Mr. Farrar! :)
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"Content is King" - Guest appearance by Mr. Farrar! :)
2nd Period at the Races!
Thanks to Mr. Rempe and Mr. Heskestad for stopping by as our VIP reviewers :)
Friday, October 12, 2012
"Technology as a Tool"
This is a big theme for my classes; the idea that you can use an implement (hardware, software, system, etc.) to leverage your time and effort to accomplish more than you could previously.
I was impressed that Alex had repurposed his cast into a tape smoothing tool. That's creative problem solving.
Jason was quick to come up with his own expedient solution :)
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I was impressed that Alex had repurposed his cast into a tape smoothing tool. That's creative problem solving.
Jason was quick to come up with his own expedient solution :)
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Fightertown USA
Apparently the Blue Angels are in town! It was the "Highway to the Dangerzone" over Casa Olson yesterday afternoon. A striking day for high performance flying.
It seems that we have students attend the air show each year. Lots of good hardware on display. If your attending and want to participate in our Airshow Photo Scavenger Hunt, let me know and I'll fill you in on the details.
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It seems that we have students attend the air show each year. Lots of good hardware on display. If your attending and want to participate in our Airshow Photo Scavenger Hunt, let me know and I'll fill you in on the details.
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Engineering Projects
Jason and Putnam have a new split tail setup for their aircraft. Why is this significant to their design?
Eng Projects: Goal Setting
Work backwards from a general, high level goal to develop specific, accomplishable tasks that build off each other to support the outcome.
Individual tasks will support your weekly milestones.
This sheet is an example we used in class. It reflects a break out of Ryan and John's efforts to develop a business building handplanes for bodysurfers:
Individual tasks will support your weekly milestones.
This sheet is an example we used in class. It reflects a break out of Ryan and John's efforts to develop a business building handplanes for bodysurfers:
Use this as an example. First make a handwritten version, get some feedback and then flesh out a more professional looking one in powerpoint (or equivalent).
"Fail Early, Fail Often..."
...You all hear me say it nearly every day.
These leaders were all entrepreneurs in one way or another. What if they had waited to get everything "just right" before they attempted their early efforts?
Even though these first efforts were "failures", what do you think they learned from them? How might this "growth mindset" have helped them in their life and nation defining roles? Can you choose to have a "growth mindset"? How do champions like Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods react to set backs? Can you react the same?
CHS Photo Scavanger Hunt Challenge - Who's room is this poster posted in?
These leaders were all entrepreneurs in one way or another. What if they had waited to get everything "just right" before they attempted their early efforts?
Even though these first efforts were "failures", what do you think they learned from them? How might this "growth mindset" have helped them in their life and nation defining roles? Can you choose to have a "growth mindset"? How do champions like Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods react to set backs? Can you react the same?
CHS Photo Scavanger Hunt Challenge - Who's room is this poster posted in?
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Data Visualization
We'll watch this one on a rainy day:
What did you find most compelling in this presentation?
How could you present information in your future academic efforts to tell more of a "story"?
According to this data, what effect did increased quality/accessibility of health care have on countries' GDP?
What did you find most compelling in this presentation?
How could you present information in your future academic efforts to tell more of a "story"?
According to this data, what effect did increased quality/accessibility of health care have on countries' GDP?
Perspective
Chris in 3rd Period has drawn the best Perspective Sketch I've seen in my now third year of doing this activity. Nice job!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Mission Impossible: Federal Survey Card Competition!
UPDATE: Congratulations! 4th Period has persevered to achieve victory! This was a multifaceted effort and we can feel good that everybody came together to accomplish this goal. Nice work :)
Dear 4th Period Engineers,
Change of plan for our Federal Survey Card strategy! We designed our solution on incorrect information.
The cards may be turned in as soon as they are all collected. To be competitive, we will aim to turn them in before school!
This plan is complicated by the fact that I have an appointment in the morning and will not be in until 8:30... so I've devised a solution that ill let us remain competitive!
Do the following to help us achieve victory!:
1) Contact your agreed upon "buddy" to make sure they have completed their card and packed it for school. Please make sure they know we will now be turning them in before school!
2) Ensure your own card is complete and packed for school.
3) Return your card to the envelope in the folder taped to the Engineering classroom door (Rm 705). Do this before school! Mark off your name/number on the list on the holder once your card is in and arranged in the correct alphabetical/numerical order.
4) If you are the last student to return the card/check off on the list, immediately turn in the envelope of cards to Mrs. Kirk. If I am not in I can retroactively write a pass if you are on this task during first period.
The Stakes!:
If the class wins, we will lower the Term's grade threshold by 5 points. :)
If you fail to bring your card in, it was agreed that you owe the class cookies :)
Thank you, I look forward to celebrating a victory in the morning!
Mr. Olson
Rescue Ranger
I came across this critter yesterday afternoon. He had a fishing hook stuck in his mouth with line trailing off of it. Surely he would have died if I didn't make an effort to get him some help. I must have looked like a maniac scrambling around the low tide reef after him! I finally caught the guy and had the lifeguards pick him up to hand off to a wildlife rescue organization.
I mention this in context of our classes because it was a lesson in iterative design and perseverance. It took me many attempts and I nearly gave up. It was also a little intimidating to try and grab a wild critter. My first attempt was bare handed and that was too much for me. I got some gloves I keep in my car and felt much more capable with them. When I cornered the guy I used a feather off the ground to test his striking force and distance. Think of that as a "prototype" for my fingers! I didn't know what to expect. With better insight of what he was capable of I was ready to make the grab.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The 3rd Annual CHS Cardboard Canoe Challenge! :)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the 3rd Annual CHS Cardboard Canoe Challenge. Do you have what it takes to design and build this year's winning watercraft?
(I lost all my photos from last year so imagine this is a cardboard canoe!)
Overview
Your class will break into teams to compete. You will design and build a solution to compete in the Challenge based on the bellow Criteria and Constraints. Safety is the number one priority in this event!
Safety
***Swimming is an “opt in” activity. No one has to swim if they don’t wish to. Swim only if you have the ability to do so. Appropriate attire is required for swimming. Adhere to the swimming facility rules. Safety is the top priority at all times.***
Criteria
• Build a watercraft that allows you to traverse the CHS swimming pool.
• Your "boat" must float at least one student through the course of the competition.
• Protect your workspace from damage!
Constraints
• You may only use Cardboard and Duct Tape for this event.
• All Staples or other foreign material must be removed from your cardboard. If we trash the pool, we will not be invited back for other activities during the year (yes, we have other activities in mind for 2nd semester).
• Cardboard must meet our quality standard and be approved by the instructor (more info to follow)
• Each boat must have a minimum of a 3" tall "sidewall" (no completely flat designs).
• All exposed cardboard must be covered in duct tape (this will reduce cardboard disintigration in the pool).
• Each team will be provided one "versa table" cardboard box piece and three 60yrd rolls of duct tape. Any materials beyond this (likely need more cardboard) need to be resourced by your team.
Achievments
Create a comprehensive post on your blog that justifies the Achievements you've earned for this challenge.
Make sure you claim the total number of achievements you've earned at the top of your post!
Design Achievements:
• Define the Problem and Brainstorm Solutions - State the problem you are designing a solution for. List at least 20 ideas you have regarding your solution.
• Big Brain - The individual student with the most brainstorms listed will earn a bonus achievement.
• Criteria & Constraints - List or reference the specified Criteria and Constraints you're designing for. List at least one implied criteria. List at least three implied contsraints.
• Sketch Ideas - Draw 3 different sketches for possible designs. Label at least 3 key features for each sketch. Describe the feature's functionality so a viewer understands why the called out feature is important.
• Prototype Ideas - Craft physical prototypes (models) of each of your three sketches. Use a notecard or post it note to call out at least one key feature on each model. Post the images to your blog and describe the key feature that you've pointed out on each.
• Select an Approach - Generate feedback (+, change, ?, !) and make a decision matrix regarding your sketches/prototypes. Specify the approach you've chosen and justify your selection.
• Surface area! - Calculate how much surface area you can cover with your given duct tape. How many sf can you cover with one roll? How many can you cover with all your rolls? What % efficiency do you think you can achieve with your overlap?
Build Achievements:
• Build It! - Build your watercraft. Your build must meet the standards of construction (100% covered in Duct Tape). Document it with a presentable photo.
• The Early Bird Gets the Achievement - Awarded to the team with the fastest build.
• V-Bottom - Earn this by building a non-flat bottom
Test Achievements:
• The Fastest - Awarded to the first team to reach the far side (25yds)
• The Farthest - Awarded to the team that can travel the furthest (laps)
• The Longest - Awarded to the team with the watercraft that floats the longest (multiple teams may be awarded this achievement if multiple boats remain afloat at the end of our competition period).
• Balance Master - Awarded if you can have at least one person stand for 5 seconds in the boat (you must conduct this away from the edge of the pool so that non one falls over and hits their head)
• Videographer - Take video of the challenge and post to your blog.
Reflection Achievements:
• Feedback - Generate ten items of feedback for your effort (from the design/build process and/or the actual product). Make sure you include at least one item of feedaback in each of our four feedback areas (+, change, ?, !)
• How Low Did You Go? - How low in the water did your canoe sit (roughly)? Was it suprising how little your boat went down in the water? What is the unit weight of water in pounds? How much did your pilot weigh (roughly)? Use math to help explain the depth that your boat sat in the water.
• Redesign - If we were to do another Carboard Canoe race next semester, what would you build? Draw from everything you experienced in your class and propose the most competative solution. Include a sketch with key features and dimensions labeled.
• (Make Your Own Achievement) - Make an achievement of your own design that you can award yourself for something awesome your team did. (Example "Transformer" - although our canoe sunk, our team was able to convert it into a surfboard style design and continue competeting!)
Welcome to the 3rd Annual CHS Cardboard Canoe Challenge. Do you have what it takes to design and build this year's winning watercraft?
(I lost all my photos from last year so imagine this is a cardboard canoe!)
Overview
Your class will break into teams to compete. You will design and build a solution to compete in the Challenge based on the bellow Criteria and Constraints. Safety is the number one priority in this event!
Safety
***Swimming is an “opt in” activity. No one has to swim if they don’t wish to. Swim only if you have the ability to do so. Appropriate attire is required for swimming. Adhere to the swimming facility rules. Safety is the top priority at all times.***
Criteria
• Build a watercraft that allows you to traverse the CHS swimming pool.
• Your "boat" must float at least one student through the course of the competition.
• Protect your workspace from damage!
Constraints
• You may only use Cardboard and Duct Tape for this event.
• All Staples or other foreign material must be removed from your cardboard. If we trash the pool, we will not be invited back for other activities during the year (yes, we have other activities in mind for 2nd semester).
• Cardboard must meet our quality standard and be approved by the instructor (more info to follow)
• Each boat must have a minimum of a 3" tall "sidewall" (no completely flat designs).
• All exposed cardboard must be covered in duct tape (this will reduce cardboard disintigration in the pool).
• Each team will be provided one "versa table" cardboard box piece and three 60yrd rolls of duct tape. Any materials beyond this (likely need more cardboard) need to be resourced by your team.
Achievments
Create a comprehensive post on your blog that justifies the Achievements you've earned for this challenge.
Make sure you claim the total number of achievements you've earned at the top of your post!
Design Achievements:
• Define the Problem and Brainstorm Solutions - State the problem you are designing a solution for. List at least 20 ideas you have regarding your solution.
• Big Brain - The individual student with the most brainstorms listed will earn a bonus achievement.
• Criteria & Constraints - List or reference the specified Criteria and Constraints you're designing for. List at least one implied criteria. List at least three implied contsraints.
• Sketch Ideas - Draw 3 different sketches for possible designs. Label at least 3 key features for each sketch. Describe the feature's functionality so a viewer understands why the called out feature is important.
• Prototype Ideas - Craft physical prototypes (models) of each of your three sketches. Use a notecard or post it note to call out at least one key feature on each model. Post the images to your blog and describe the key feature that you've pointed out on each.
• Select an Approach - Generate feedback (+, change, ?, !) and make a decision matrix regarding your sketches/prototypes. Specify the approach you've chosen and justify your selection.
• Surface area! - Calculate how much surface area you can cover with your given duct tape. How many sf can you cover with one roll? How many can you cover with all your rolls? What % efficiency do you think you can achieve with your overlap?
Build Achievements:
• Build It! - Build your watercraft. Your build must meet the standards of construction (100% covered in Duct Tape). Document it with a presentable photo.
• The Early Bird Gets the Achievement - Awarded to the team with the fastest build.
• V-Bottom - Earn this by building a non-flat bottom
Test Achievements:
• The Fastest - Awarded to the first team to reach the far side (25yds)
• The Farthest - Awarded to the team that can travel the furthest (laps)
• The Longest - Awarded to the team with the watercraft that floats the longest (multiple teams may be awarded this achievement if multiple boats remain afloat at the end of our competition period).
• Balance Master - Awarded if you can have at least one person stand for 5 seconds in the boat (you must conduct this away from the edge of the pool so that non one falls over and hits their head)
• Videographer - Take video of the challenge and post to your blog.
Reflection Achievements:
• Feedback - Generate ten items of feedback for your effort (from the design/build process and/or the actual product). Make sure you include at least one item of feedaback in each of our four feedback areas (+, change, ?, !)
• How Low Did You Go? - How low in the water did your canoe sit (roughly)? Was it suprising how little your boat went down in the water? What is the unit weight of water in pounds? How much did your pilot weigh (roughly)? Use math to help explain the depth that your boat sat in the water.
• Redesign - If we were to do another Carboard Canoe race next semester, what would you build? Draw from everything you experienced in your class and propose the most competative solution. Include a sketch with key features and dimensions labeled.
• (Make Your Own Achievement) - Make an achievement of your own design that you can award yourself for something awesome your team did. (Example "Transformer" - although our canoe sunk, our team was able to convert it into a surfboard style design and continue competeting!)
Monday, September 24, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
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