Purpose / Objectives:

Students will become familiar with the physics and engineering of structures through this project. All students will complete lab activities, a research paper and logbook. Students will work in teams of 2 or 3 members, sharing resources and responsibilities.

Resources:

Videos - Building Big series produced by WGBH Boston

Books - Building Big and other library resources

Websites - Building Big http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/

Great buildings http://www.greatbuildings.com/

Lab activities and models - students are to supply materials

Time frame:

April 30 - May 16, 2003

10 class periods

project due date:
May 16, 2003 for all classes

Project outcomes - to be submitted in your project folder:

complete projects will include -

• all lab activities, carefully completed and written up on the sheets provided
• video segments watched and notes made of important points
• 1 local wonder project per group member - this is a typed report .
• additional notes and observations
• complete vocabulary list - 25 words minimum in your own words

Grades will be based upon the following criteria:

• in class behavior and general cooperation and engagement - 10 points
• daily cleanup and management of your work space - 10 points
• preparations and contributions to your teams supplies and information - 15 points
• your local wonder paper - 25 points
• your teams completed project folder, table of contents, labs, LW papers, notes - 40 points

Supply list:

Your team will need to supply your own shoe box with the following materials at the beginning of the activity sequence. You will not be able to use other students supplies.

List of materials - per 2-3 person team

• 2 - 4 toilet paper or paper towel tubes,
• 1 roll of masking tape - colored is fun
• 1 newspaper
• 20 paper clips, large and small types
• 1 kitchen sponge
• 100 toothpicks
• 50 gumdrops
• 1 container of salt
• 2 empty 2 liter soda or plastic milk bottles
• 2 feet each of dental floss, yarn, string
• 100 pennies
• 1 paper cup small
• 1 plastic spoon

Step by step :

1. look over all materials and labs
   do you have everything you need? if not what will you do?
2. design a working time schedule and plan for days 2- 10
   when will you do each of the labs and watch the videos?
   how will you accomplish the local wonders report ? in school at home?
3. assign roles and tasks
   materials manager, project coordinator, recorder, technician, vocabulary manager - these roles may be rotated daily.
4. discuss your local wonders topics
   each student should pick a separate local wonder to report on
   will you travel together to see these places?

Other notes -- check back here for updates and special notes...

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