Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Engineers/Designing a turbine

Materials? Spoons, plates, cups, and tape.


Draw a design.

Take your time.






Collect your materials.

Work with a partner.











Try out your design.

Discuss your design.

Look at different models.

Friday, October 16, 2015

Electrical Systems for a Fan, Horn, and Light

"Try to get one of your converters to work." 
"Let's start with the light."

"Did you get the fan to turn?"

"I think I hear the horn."

"Can you make two converters work at the same time?"



"The light's working, but I can hardly see it."

"What can you do to make all three converters run off the same solar panel?





"We got all three converters to work at the same time!"

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Science Simulation

Build a system.


Here's an example of a system.

First choose an energy source: solar, wind, fuel, crank.

Take turns.

"Pay attention to the energy levels that are down at the bottom of your screen."



Guiding Principle: RESPONSIBILITY



Sunday, September 27, 2015

Systems Engineers


The goal? Using a motor, fan, solar panel, and wires . . . 

 . . . make the fan turn.

Come up with some ideas with your partner.

Try your ideas.

Successful? Now, can you make your system fail?

Try several different ways.

"We need to have the solar panel facing the sun if we want the fan to turn."

"Let's try making the fan turn the other way."

Record your results.

Draw a sketch of your successful system.

Don't forget to label.


Almost done, Mr. Tuma!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Squiggle Art

Each group received a large piece of paper . . .

. . . with a design.

"Talk for a couple of minutes . . .

. . . and decide as a group what you will draw."

Each student in the group . . .

. . . received a crayon.

"Work together . . . 

. . . to create your own unique masterpiece."

Each group . . . 

. . . shared their art work.

What color did each of them use . . . 

. . . and why they drew what they did.