Students explore energy transformation in a candle/cup system.
The seventh graders have been studying energy. They have analyzed the potential, gravitational, kinetic and elastic energy of a variety of situations–falling objects, pendulums, roller coasters, bouncing balls and rolling cans. This week they examined how chemical reactions create chemical energy. Ask them what happened when they added aluminum to a copper chloride solution.
Cross-bracing is important. Students research ways in which they can use cross-bracing in their design.
This week the eighth graders embarked upon a new challenge. They are part of a team of engineers working for Building Better Buildings, Incorporated in Seattle, Washington. They have been challenged to design and construct a prototype of a building that will withstand an earthquake. In one month, they will present their designs to a group of professors at UWM where they will test them on a shake table and receive feedback. The top designs will be recognized. Yesterday, students conducted some initial research to determine what makes a building capable of withstanding the powerful energy created by an earthquake. Ask them what they’ve learned! Ask them about their initial ideas!
Students will document their thinking and ideas daily in a journal.
A base isolation system is an important feature of the building. Students read about them and considered how they might design their own.
Students view past designs to get ideas for their own prototype.
