Wind Power

The funny thing is that school classrooms are being asked to incorporate more and more technology.  I've really been trying and almost all of the lessons that I have delivered on energy have been introduced with information that I have put onto a platform called Google Classroom.

The funny part was that even though the students enjoyed the technology, they really loved the hand-on experience that they were able to participate in as they created their own wind powered device, the simple pinwheel.  Just being able to read and follow directions, do their own drawing and cutting and ending up with something that worked was so satisfying to them.  They are, after all, children!

Pure joy!

Our second project last week was a bit more involved.  Each student designed their own wind powered car using the materials found in the picture below, along with tape to hold things together.

Once each student had a labelled plan they became a partner in a team that would only build one car.

The art of compromise came into play.  The language was rich!  This team decided that they would use the bottom of one design and the top of the other!  They were truly communicating their ideas in a collaborative fashion!

The second part of the project was to see how far the wind powered car would go with three blows through a straw.  This step incorporated measuring into the picture.

Some cars didn't move at all.  Some moved a little and others zoomed along.  Another opportunity for rich discussion as the students puzzled over their designs and how they could be modified.

Although the lessons are based on science concepts and energy facts, the reality is that the best learning is happening because of those 21st Century skills being practised: creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking.  We added compromise today!!

What can you make from a pizza box?

When you look at our class using their creativity and collaboration skills, can you figure out what they are making?  Here's the list of materials:
box with lid

extra cardboard

clear plastic wrap

aluminum foil

black paper

newspaper

tape

black paint and brush

What is it???

Here's a hint:  Is won't work without the sun!

Solar beads

We're continuing to learn about energy.  Today we focused on the power of the sun, or solar energy.

 After watching some videos that explained how we need to protect our bodies from the sun's rays, we used these cool beads...UV beads...and did an experiment.

I brought in three different strengths of sunscreen.  The beads were coated in the sunscreen.

We followed this pattern to create a bracelet,

and then we went outside to see what would happen.  We were so surprised to learn that the UV beads ALL changed colour!  What does that mean?  Does sunscreen really protect us from the rays of the sun?  It led to an interesting discussion and many, many connections to the student's own experiences.  It was critical thinking at work!  I expect many of them will be showing up with hats and sunglasses tomorrow!

After lunch I found these lovely lilacs and notes on my desk!  I guess I'll have to work harder on their spelling but the sentiments of "Thank you for being a great teacher" and "The flowers are for you.  Thank you for being our teacher."  made my heart sing!

Tremendous Thursday!

"Thinking Homework"

That's what I tell the students that they have when a question comes up in class and I want them to ponder it, or ask a friend, or discuss with their parents.  The question on Wednesday was "Where does the gasoline that we put in our car come from?"  The obvious answer "..from the gas station..." wasn't the one that I wanted.

This gal did her thinking homework with her dad, who was one of those who had to be evacuated from Fort MacMurray.  She even brought a copy of a picture and then, with confidence shared her new knowledge with the class.  I was so impressed that she was able to say that dinosaurs had a major role in our natural resource.  Well done!

All our students gathered in our Multipurpose Room to hear from our special guest speakers.

I had been in contact with the University of Calgary for almost a month and a group of six engineering students presented to us today.  What is their passion?

They shared their experience as engineering students who build and race a solar car in different locations around the world!  They brought 'Delta' to us to see!

Here's the next car they hope to build....very funky!

The students got to see 'her' out by our playground.  Her back, roof and hood are covered with solar cells, and her engine is actually inside her rear tires!

More of the team was outside to answer questions.

The shell is almost like styrofoam and she only has 4 horsepower.

(One of my gals asked that question!!)

What's really cool is that the team wanted her to look almost like a car we would see on the road today.  Solar cars before this design almost looked like space ships!  As well, she can hold two people!  That also is quite innovative.

Here are the sponsors of this project.  I love that one of the sponsors is BP Energy.  They are the ones that funded our learning through the grant that I received!

Thanks University of Calgary for coming to our school! It was an awesome demonstration and learning experience for our little guys!

At the beginning of the week, the students took home a letter asking for the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who had to leave their homes in Fort MacMurray.  They brought the money they earned from doing chores this week, to school today and attached a note of what they wanted to buy with that money.  I slipped out of the school while they were at music and had a chance to shop.

They then wrote a note to the child who will receive the donation, explaining that they had earned the money and that they were praying for them.  These donations were taken into Edmonton over the weekend and left at the big donation centre on the Southside. For those students who didn't have a chance to bring in money, I made sure that there were socks or underwear for them to contribute.

They were so very proud of their ability to help.  I thank you, parents, for understanding that this was an opportunity for the students to live the words of Jesus from Matthew 25

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’