SAVY 2019: Session 4, Day 2 – Creative Contraptions (Ms. Tyson) (Rising 1st/2nd)

Posted by hallep on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 in Grade 1, Grade 2, SAVY.

After a review of our learning yesterday regarding identification of relative position of cars, movement and motion, we continued onward, using Hot Wheels to evaluate and demonstrate the meaning of related physical science terms such as push, pull, force, kinetic energy, potential energy friction, and gravity. We were then ready to experiment with cars, ramps, and difference surfaces to answer the question: How does the type of surface affect the speed of an object?  To do this, we divided up into four groups of three and conducted an experiment using four different surfaces (sandpaper, bubble wrap, towel, and felt). We tested a different surface at each center using a ramp where half of the surface was the different surface and the other half was the smooth side of the ramp on which the two Hot Wheels cars competed to see which one was faster. We discussed that car A would always go down the smooth side of the ramp (no surface, just the ramp) and that this would be our control because there is no change, and car B would always be the variable with a change of surface at each testing center. When we compared our data (each testing center surface was repeated three times), we all agreed on the findings. This was a rich conversation.

After reading The Inventor’s Secret, we compared and contrasted the similarities and differences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. This comparison helped us see several key things, including that inventors sometimes discuss ideas and frustrations with other inventors, how important it is to dream and brainstorm many ideas, to expect to revise inventions many times and to keep at it! Then it was time to take on a real-world problem and use the inventor’s process to come up with a solution. We were appointed, as architectural engineers, to draw up a plan for the cafeteria for a new school that would address the problem of noise in the cafeteria. We divided into collaboration groups began to tackle the problem. We started with identifying the problem and then we brainstormed possible solutions. Then we chose what we thought was the best solution and continued on the draw up plans! Once we moved away from disciplinary ideas, we were able to open up our innovative minds to building-centered solution ideas. We began to think more like architectural engineers and less like administrators and then the ideas got quite creative!

Tomorrow we begin to learn about simple machines and how they are systems. Can’t wait for another great day of creativity and innovation!

Ms. Tyson