Technology is any designed system, product, or process. We use technology to solve problems and meet needs. We are surrounded by technology! This week the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade Spectacular Scientists are identifying types of technology and how technology has changed through time, learning how technology impacts society, explaining how technology meets people's needs, and examining the risks and benefits of technology.
We have also confronted some common misconceptions about technology. Technology isn't just the latest electronic devices. Some of the earliest examples of technology are tools made from stones and animal bones. Technology doesn't have to be a product - it can be a process. Following a series of steps to make a cake, tie your shoelaces, add music to your MP3 player, or play a game of soccer are all examples of a technology process.
The students have discovered that many technology products that are part of their daily lives would have been items of science fiction to a child growing up in ancient times, like the 1970's and 1980's : remote controls for televisions, cordless phones, CDs, television on demand, home video gaming systems, hand-held video games, touch screen computers, laptops, the Internet. The students tried to imagine life without these types of technology and saw pictures of ancient technology, such as phones with cords.
Upcoming Project:
The students will create timelines of technology! Each student will select an item of technology, find out when it was invented, research its evolution, and explain the impact it has had on society This project integrates science, computers, social studies, and language arts Common Core standards. Project guidelines, due dates, and additional details will be give after Thanksgiving break.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
How Can You Design a Solution to a Problem?
When engineers design new technologies, they follow a design process. The process includes the following steps:
1. Find a Problem
2. Plan and Build
3. Test and Improve
4. Redesign
5. Communicate
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Spectacular Scientists are following this design process to find solutions to their assigned problems. The 3rd graders are creating designs for tree houses. They are making illustrations of their tree houses and are including plans for moving building materials from the ground to the tree house. We have discussed several ways to transport the building materials: ladders, pulleys, step stools, and fishing rods. The 4th graders are building crash safety devices for egg transportation systems. They are making 2 prototypes of crash safety devices. These devices will need to gently absorb the force of motion - so the raw egg inside will not crack or smash - as they are dropped form a height of 3.58 meters. (Yes, we are dropping them from the loft of the Old Library!) The 5th graders are designing a prototype of a raft that will float and hold weight. They will build and test the first prototype and then redesign it to hold more weight.
We are eager to test our prototypes and to communicate our results!
1. Find a Problem
2. Plan and Build
3. Test and Improve
4. Redesign
5. Communicate
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Spectacular Scientists are following this design process to find solutions to their assigned problems. The 3rd graders are creating designs for tree houses. They are making illustrations of their tree houses and are including plans for moving building materials from the ground to the tree house. We have discussed several ways to transport the building materials: ladders, pulleys, step stools, and fishing rods. The 4th graders are building crash safety devices for egg transportation systems. They are making 2 prototypes of crash safety devices. These devices will need to gently absorb the force of motion - so the raw egg inside will not crack or smash - as they are dropped form a height of 3.58 meters. (Yes, we are dropping them from the loft of the Old Library!) The 5th graders are designing a prototype of a raft that will float and hold weight. They will build and test the first prototype and then redesign it to hold more weight.
We are eager to test our prototypes and to communicate our results!
Monday, November 3, 2014
The Engineering Process
Hooray!! This is the first day of the SECOND quarter! We are revved up and ready to explore the engineering process! Each grade has a new "Big Idea" to learn and series of "Essential Questions" to answer.
Third Grade's Big Idea:
Technology is all around us. The design process is used to develop new types of technology to meet people's needs.
Third Grade's Essential Questions:
1. How do engineers use the design process?
2. How can you design a tree house?
3. How are technology and science related?
4. How can we improve a design?
Fourth Grade's Big Idea:
Engineers use a process to design products and processes that solve human problems.
Fourth Grade's Essential Questions:
1. What is an engineering design process?
2. How can you design a solution to a problem?
3. What is technology?
4. How do we use technology?
Fifth Grade's Big Idea:
Technology is all around us. Engineers apply their knowledge of science to design solutions to practical problems.
Fifth Grade's Essential Questions:
1. What is the design process?
2. How can you design a solution to a problem?
3. How does technology improve our lives?
4. How can you use engineering to solve a problem?
The third graders are creating a design to keep a drink cold. The have made sketches and created prototypes. We will test our prototypes, record data, and discuss design improvements. The fourth graders generated ideas and created sketches for a new type of tool that will enable a person to see things closely that are far away. We discussed how current tools like binoculars, telescopes, and cameras with zoom lenses could be improved to meet our needs. The fifth graders identified the types of technology that are used daily in a city. They identified the type of technology and the problem(s) it solved. They created a table of new technology ideas by identifying the need it would meet, the type of technology that could meet that need, the way that technology would work, and the problem(s) that technology would solve.
Some fun things to do and consider: Discuss with your child the ways technology has changed since you were in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade. Many of our children have never seen a rotary phone, car windows that have to be manually rolled down, radios that have to be tuned by dials, TVs without remote controls, record players, or 8-track tapes. (Wow. I feel quite old.) Discuss what types of technology have been helpful and now seem essential, and what types of technology have been distracting or disruptive. Ask your child to predict what types of technology they will need or use as adults. Encourage your child to design, build and test prototypes of technology that he/she could use to solve a problem he/she has.
Third Grade's Big Idea:
Technology is all around us. The design process is used to develop new types of technology to meet people's needs.
Third Grade's Essential Questions:
1. How do engineers use the design process?
2. How can you design a tree house?
3. How are technology and science related?
4. How can we improve a design?
Fourth Grade's Big Idea:
Engineers use a process to design products and processes that solve human problems.
Fourth Grade's Essential Questions:
1. What is an engineering design process?
2. How can you design a solution to a problem?
3. What is technology?
4. How do we use technology?
Fifth Grade's Big Idea:
Technology is all around us. Engineers apply their knowledge of science to design solutions to practical problems.
Fifth Grade's Essential Questions:
1. What is the design process?
2. How can you design a solution to a problem?
3. How does technology improve our lives?
4. How can you use engineering to solve a problem?
The third graders are creating a design to keep a drink cold. The have made sketches and created prototypes. We will test our prototypes, record data, and discuss design improvements. The fourth graders generated ideas and created sketches for a new type of tool that will enable a person to see things closely that are far away. We discussed how current tools like binoculars, telescopes, and cameras with zoom lenses could be improved to meet our needs. The fifth graders identified the types of technology that are used daily in a city. They identified the type of technology and the problem(s) it solved. They created a table of new technology ideas by identifying the need it would meet, the type of technology that could meet that need, the way that technology would work, and the problem(s) that technology would solve.
Some fun things to do and consider: Discuss with your child the ways technology has changed since you were in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade. Many of our children have never seen a rotary phone, car windows that have to be manually rolled down, radios that have to be tuned by dials, TVs without remote controls, record players, or 8-track tapes. (Wow. I feel quite old.) Discuss what types of technology have been helpful and now seem essential, and what types of technology have been distracting or disruptive. Ask your child to predict what types of technology they will need or use as adults. Encourage your child to design, build and test prototypes of technology that he/she could use to solve a problem he/she has.
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