Balloons, Measurements, and 3D Modeling Ohh My

This week has been exciting. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes are moving along at a pretty good pace and working hard.

6th grade students have been learning an engineering fundamental "Measurement". Looking at measurement from a maker mind set it is imperative that students are able to read measurements in both English and Metric to create or design anything.




7th grade students are working on two main topics this week. Shop safety and creating their passive amplification box in Autodesk Inventor. I have created a series of YouTube videos to help students gain a better understanding of the 3D modeling software that utilize. For the basic passive amplification/speaker box students have access to step by step video instructions for the project. After they have mastered the video instructions they are able to modify and change the design to fit their own phone and have a unique one of a kind design.




8th graders presented their aerospace research this week and started on our first flight and space unit build. I really enjoyed seeing the research into all the different types of aircraft that have shaped our modern world and now students are getting to learn through a hands on project about hot air balloons and why they fly without any motors.

New Students and New Robotics Challenge

One of the great things about teaching and elective course is that I get to see almost every student at PCMS. This past week was the start of 3rd trimester, which means I have a new group of 6th graders and 7th graders. It is almost like starting a new school year. I have to admit one thing I am not good at is remembering names. I try each term and each trimester to remember all of my students names and it is one of the hardest things I do each year.

Another really great part about this week is that my 8th grade students who wanted to participate in the SeaPerch underwater robotics challenge. After working all 2nd trimester on a robotics unit a few of my students have taken on this new after school robotics challenge!


Students unboxing the robotics kit.

Here we are cutting all the pvc pipe to correct length.

Students are also learning how to solder during the robotics project.