We have completed our SeaPerch underwater robotics competition and have 2 teams per class that are invited to compete at the Pattonville High School Pool for a regional SeaPerch Competition. This was a really exciting project that I believe was a lot of fun for students. Not only did students get to design and build their robot but they were able to gain hands on experience using tools and applying the lessons of our electricity unit to create a working robot. The finished products were really fun to see work. The fact students can feel, see, and touch a product that they built themselves can give students confidence that if they put their minds to it they can create anything. Building and creating is not something students normally get to do in class and I am glade that my Gateway to Technology students have the chance create.
We are continuing our robotics unit by exploring simple machines and gears in the coming few weeks. Students will learn how to use gears to increase power or increase speed through many hands on robotics builds.
7th Grade
Students finished their wood working projects a few weeks ago and have been learning to utilize the 3D modeling program Autodesk Inventor. This is a computer aided design or CAD program that can be used in industry to design various products. Students created a pegboard to learn the basic functions of this software and later designed a piece of furniture for a client. I really like the furniture design project because students have to take a clients needs and wants in mind and effectively unitize the CAD software. I have attached some really neat examples to this blog.
6th Grade
Another 6 weeks have come and gone. It is amazing how fast time flies while teaching the 6 week future pathways class. While I am writing this blog it is the last day of 4th term and I am seeing so many smiling sixth grade students. We are racing their cars to determine who designed the fastest dragster. These students can hardly contain their excitement.
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| 8th grade students testing their underwater robot. |
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| Making some final modifications before the competition. |
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| Scoring points in the competition. |
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| Looks like we have a Michigan Fan! |
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| Five Nights at Freddie's |
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| Unique furniture desk design for a client interested in chemistry |
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| Another Unique furniture design. |
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| This client needed a new baby crib. |
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| 6th Grade Students getting ready to race! |
