Training Web

2009-2010 JUNIOR DIVISION SCIENCE TASK

This task is designed for all junior students (grade 4-6) for the 2009-2010 school year. It is the third junior division science project of a proposed three-year cycle and focuses on the topic: Pulleys and Gears (Understanding Structurees and Mechanisms). The task is designed so that students from grade 4 to 6 can enter into it in different ways and to different extents and still achieve the overall expectations. The goal is to bring teachers and students within a division together in order to increase collaboration and expertise in the area of technological design. Teachers / divisions / schools will decide when the task is to be completed within the school year. Invention Conventions, Structure Showcases, etc are encouraged upon completion in order for students to demonstrate their work.

Three designs (and their designers) from each school will be invited to present their work at our first LDCSB Science Structure Showcases. Showcases will be held within each affiliate during the week of May 10, 2010. Details for each afiiliate will be sent ASAP.

If at any time, you have questions, etc about the project please fell free to contact Sharon Gillies via email (s.gillies@office.ldcsb.on.ca) or phone (519-663-2088 ext. 42104).

It is hoped that the task will continue to grow and be improved. This can only happen with your imput and feedback.


In 2010-2011, the junior division task cycle will begin again with Flight, followed by Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms in 2011-2012.

OVERVIEW OF THE TASK


This student package contains all the details of the task.

What is the context for this scenario?
As legend has it, King Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table were respected far and wide for their courage, dignity, honesty, loyalty, valour, and love of God. These Medieval Knights followed a special set of rules or code called the “code of chivalry”. The knights performed noble deeds, helped the poor, protected their King, and lived an honourable life of service to God.  
King Arthur admired each knight’s strengths and talents equally. The round table is a symbol of this equality. No one knight was better than any other. The knights appreciated each other’s uniqueness and they realized that they could accomplish great quests when they worked together.
In the same way, teachers admire the talents and God-given gifts of each student. Therefore, your class has been chosen to demonstrate these skills in the Tournament of a Thousand Knights. Students will be assigned to a team of 2 - 4. Successful teams will have the opportunity to advance to the London District Science & Technology Fair scheduled for March 26-28, 2010 and/or the LDCSB Science Structure Showcases to be held during the week of May 10, 2010.

What products will I be creating?
Your challenge will be two-fold:

1. Cooperation Challenge

Like the Knights of the Round Table, students must learn to appreciate the unique talents and skills of their teammates. Students will need to cooperate as a group in order to achieve the ultimate honours! Each member will be responsible for ensuring that every teammate has made a contribution toward the ideas, design, construction, and presentation of your technology challenge.

2.Technology Challenge

Put away your X-Box and Wii controllers - this is a real-life R.P.G. (role play game)! Student teams will participate in a rescue simulation exercise designed to test their teamwork, problem solving, and technological skills in the ultimate challenge: Storm the Castle ~ Tournament of a Thousand Knights!

During this simulation exercise, dozens of hungry baby dragons will be held captive in a medieval castle. Students - your job is to rescue them...

Design and build a small-scale working model of a medieval siege tower in order to “Storm the Castle” and rescue the baby dragons. The siege tower must:

  1. Be strong and stable.
  2. Be moveable.
  3. Incorporate as many different simple machines as possible.
  4. Have the ability to storm a castle wall (drawbridge, battering ram, etc.).
  5. Have the ability to catapult food (marshmallows) to the hungry baby dragons.
  6. Have the ability to rescue and safely remove the baby dragons from the castle (rope ladder, rescue cage, cable car, etc.).

RESOURCES


Team Booklet (for the culminating activity)

Resources:
Sample Catapults (be sure to check all 6 tabs at the bottom of the file)
Sample Trebuchets (be sure to chekc all 5 tabs at the bottom)
Sampe Siege Towers (be sure to chekc all 5 tabs at the bottom)
Check out some Building Resource ideas.
Check out some Web Links.

Possible Rubrics:
Class Construction Rubric
Design / Planning Rubric
Cooperation Challenge Rubric
Siege Tower Rubric (also in Student Booklet)

Simple Machines and Construction Resources
General Safety Rules
 


LEAD-UP TO THE TASK


Where to begin...
Students won’t be ready for the tournament until you attend Medieval Machines Boot Camp. During this apprenticeship, students will learn about cooperation, the medieval time period, simple machines, and safe building techniques. Teams must complete three mini-tasks while practicing their ability to work cooperatively, use construction tools safely, and build strong, stable structures with moving parts. Students are encouraged to incorporate artistic and functional design modifications into your creations. Teachers will provide tips, suggestions, and descriptive feedback. Keep those suggestions in mind… students will be expected to apply your new skills in the final challenge: Storm the Castle ~ Tournament of a Thousand Knights.

Medieval Machines Boot Camp Mini-Tasks
Mini Task
What will students do?
Resource Links
1
  • create a team motivational motto
  • create a team coat of arms
  • build a stand to display their team motto and coat of arms
Motto and Coat-of-Arms package (be sure to check all 9 page tabs at the bottom of the file)

Build a stand VIP (be sure to check all 19 page tabs at the bottom of the file)
2
build a cool catapult
3
design and build an toy with moving parts

Reminder: All student work (planning, designing, creating, building, presenting) must be completed at school under the supervision and guidance of the classroom teacher. Teachers will only assess and evaluate student work that is demonstrated at school.

Home Support: There are lots of things that students may do at home to maximize their classroom time. Students may read and research information, brainstorm ideas, draw preliminary sketches, practice building techniques with parental support and supervision, experiment with different construction materials (cardboard, string, elastics, spools, wheels, etc.) practice the oral presentation (fluency, expression, memorization), and gather supplies and consumables to be used at school.
Here is an activity which could be teacher-directed or team generated. One of Marzano's high-yield strategies is to attend to the similarities and differences of things. It should be used prior to the Siege Tower design phase in order to stimulate ideas and design features for inclusion in their own creation.
Having completed the Boot Camp Mini Tasks, your students are now ready for the culminating activity - to design and build a small-scale working model of a medieval siege tower in order to “Storm the Castle” and rescue the baby dragons. A booklet has been designed for teams to complete as they work their way through this project. It can be found in the Resource area. Sample catapult, trebuchet, and siege towers can be seen below and printed from the Resource section.
Your students may find this handout useful for steps to take to complete their project.

SAMPLE DESIGNS