Week 8
Session 2
Guiding Question
How can we detect life on Mars using a robot?
Subquestions
How can we design and construct a bridge over the Boise River to resist an earthquake?
Outcomes
Think through the process of designing and constructing a bridge to resist earthquakes
CT Components
Heuristics
Students will build a bridge to satisfy requirements by trial and error
Conditional Logic
Students will apply logic learned regarding shapes and bridges in designing the bridge
Communication
Students will keep a journal and make a presentation to the class
Preparation for Final Competition
Competition Day (25 minutes)
Students are given ten minutes to prepare their bridges for the final competition. They make any last minute changes to their bridge.
Cost Estimations: For the final designs that were built, students estimate the cost of their bridge by using the table (will be provided to students by teacher) provided. The lowest cost of the bridge that meets the design specifications wins!
Bridge Testing
45 minutes
Once all teams have completed building their bridges, the teacher starts the testing process that includes loading, earthquake simulation and reloading.
Loading Requirement
The bridge should support 2 kg anywhere on the load without any bending
Earthquake Performance
The bridge should receive ‘OK’ or ‘Caution’ performance remark
Reloading Requirement
The bridge should support a loading of 1.5kg anywhere in the load without any bending
Judging the Performance
The judge compares the costs and the performance of the bridges and determines the winner. Here is the Final Competition Evaluation Form.
Reminder
Please help make sure all students' work/artifacts/journals are collected by the project team;
All students have completed a post survey at the end of the program. (This could be completed prior to the final competition testing/judging)
Solve problems by using Medium Motor Block, Wait Block, and Touch Block.
End of Session Reflection and Debriefing
5-10 minutes
Teacher briefly explains the computational thinking (CT) skill embedded in the Problem Solving Process Diagram. Using the problem solving process diagram, the teacher will ask students to identify what kind of problem solving skills/process/computational thinking they used in this session and explain how they used it. The following are some sample questions that can guide the debrief.
What did I learn today?
What problem solving skills/processes or CT components in this diagram did I use today?
How did I use the problem solving skills/processes/CT components?