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7th Grade  Project 6 weeks

"Revolutionary Reload: Modernizing Texas Tech!"

Jacqualine H
7.7C
7.9B
7.9C
7.7D
7.8B
+ 3 more
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Purpose

This project aims to immerse 7th-grade students in the role of engineers and military strategists, challenging them to apply scientific and historical knowledge to redesign weapons from the Texas Revolution using modern technology. Through hands-on experimentation, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving, students will explore the principles of motion, forces, and energy while considering historical context and technological advancements. The project fosters self-directed learning and an academic mindset, encouraging students to reflect on their learning journey and engage with community partners to enhance their understanding and creativity.

Learning goals

Students will apply principles of motion and forces to redesign historical weapons, using distance-time graphs to measure and interpret projectile motion. They will analyze the impact of balanced and unbalanced forces on their designs, incorporating Newton's First Law of Motion. Through collaborative workshops and discussions, students will explore historical military strategies and the role of thermal energy transfer in weapon efficiency, culminating in a modernized cannon model and strategic defense plan.
Standards
  • [Texas] 7.7C - measure, record, and interpret an object's motion using distance-time graphs
  • [Texas] 7.9B - describe how gravity governs motion within Earth's solar system
  • [Texas] 7.9C - Analyze the characteristics of Earth that allow life to exist such as the proximity of the Sun, presence of water, and composition of the atmosphere.
  • [Texas] 7.7D - analyze the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on the state of motion of an object using Newton's First Law of Motion.
  • [Texas] 7.8B - investigate how thermal energy moves in a predictable pattern from warmer to cooler until all substances within the system reach thermal equilibrium
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and construct a modernized cannon model equipped with sensors to measure projectile motion, presenting their findings through distance-time graphs. They will also develop a strategic defense plan utilizing modern technology to analyze motion and gravity, culminating in a presentation that integrates historical context and scientific analysis. Additionally, students will build a prototype of a historical weapon using improved materials that resist thermal energy transfer, showcasing the effects of temperature changes on weapon efficiency, all of which will be displayed at a final exhibition.

Launch

Kick off the project with an "Engineering Evolution" session where students participate in interactive experiments that demonstrate the principles of motion and forces. This session will include hands-on activities such as launching small projectiles and observing their motion, allowing students to collect initial data and make predictions. The launch event will set the stage for the redesign challenge by sparking curiosity and providing a foundational understanding of the scientific concepts they will apply throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will culminate their project with a dynamic 'Design Showcase' event, inviting campus and district administrators, teachers, and peers to explore their innovative weapon models and strategic defense plans. Each group will present their modernized prototypes, complete with interactive demonstrations of motion sensors and distance-time graphs, highlighting the scientific principles and historical context behind their designs. The exhibition will also feature a live simulation where students test their models, providing a captivating display of their understanding of forces and motion. This event will not only celebrate student achievements but also foster a deeper appreciation for the integration of historical analysis and modern technology in engineering solutions.