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Plan
Week 1
Day 1
Activities
Project Introduction and Brainstorm - Introduce the project challenge and essential questions. Facilitate a brainstorming session to explore initial ideas and concepts about historical weapons and how they can be modernized. (15 min)
Historical Context Exploration - Provide an overview of weapons used in the Texas Revolution, highlighting their design and function. Discuss technological advancements since that era. (30 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed initial data collection and predictions from projectile experiments.
2. Summary of historical military strategies and their application to weapon redesign.
3. Reflection journal entries documenting learning from initial experiments and discussions.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for projectile experiments: small projectiles, launch apparatus, measuring tools.
2. Prepare historical military strategy resources: articles, videos, guest lecture notes.
3. Collect materials for thermal energy exploration: samples of various materials, thermal sensors, data recording sheets.
4. Prepare reflection journals for students to document their learning journey.
5. Coordinate with a military historian for guest lecture scheduling.
Week 2
Day 2
Activities
Blueprint Basics - Begin drafting initial blueprints for the redesigned weapons, focusing on incorporating modern technology and materials. Discuss the importance of precision in engineering and the role of motion and forces. (45 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed distance-time graphs from projectile motion experiments.
2. Blueprints incorporating analysis of forces and thermal energy transfer.
3. Feedback reflections and revised weapon designs based on peer and instructor input.
4. Preparation for next week's deeper analysis and prototype construction.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for projectile experiments, including small objects for launching and measuring tools like stopwatches and rulers.
2. Prepare graph paper and software tools for students to create distance-time graphs.
3. Coordinate with a military historian for a guest lecture on historical military strategies.
4. Set up a feedback session with teachers and administrators for the mid-project checkpoint.
Week 3
Day 3
Activities
Motion Measurement Workshop - Conduct hands-on experiments to measure the motion of small projectiles, record data, and create distance-time graphs. Analyze the data and discuss its implications for weapon design. (45 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed distance-time graphs from hands-on experiments measuring projectile motion.
2. Draft blueprints of redesigned weapons with annotations explaining the application of Newton's First Law of Motion.
3. A written reflection in journals detailing insights gained from the guest lecture and how it influences their weapon redesign.
4. Peer feedback forms completed by students, providing constructive critique on each other's blueprint drafts.
5. A preliminary list of modern materials and technologies proposed for use in the weapon redesigns, with justifications.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for hands-on experiments, including small projectiles, measuring tapes, stopwatches, and graph paper for creating distance-time graphs.
2. Arrange for a guest lecture from a military historian to discuss historical military strategies and their impact on weapon design.
3. Prepare a list of historical weapon designs and modern materials for student reference.
4. Set up a digital platform for students to submit and share their blueprint drafts and receive peer feedback.
5. Ensure access to technology, such as tablets or computers, for students to research modern weapon technology and materials.
Week 4
Day 4
Activities
Guest Lecture with Military Historian - Engage with a military historian to learn about historical military strategies and context, applying insights to weapon redesigns. (25 min)
Collaborative Workshop: Applying Newton's First Law - Analyze the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on weapon designs, using Newton's First Law of Motion as a foundation. (20 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed distance-time graphs from projectile experiments with detailed analysis of the motion data.
2. Draft weapon design blueprints incorporating feedback from the checkpoint session.
3. Reflection journal entries documenting learning progress and design rationale.
4. Revised weapon models demonstrating improvements based on peer and teacher feedback.
Preparation 1. Gather and set up motion sensors and materials for projectile experiments.
2. Prepare historical military strategy resources and case studies for analysis workshops.
3. Organize materials for group discussions on thermal energy, including examples of material properties and thermal transfer.
4. Plan and schedule the mid-project checkpoint presentation session, ensuring availability of necessary equipment and space.
5. Provide reflection journals for students to document their learning and insights.
Week 5
Day 5
Activities
Distance-Time Graph Workshop - Conduct hands-on experiments to measure and record the motion of objects using sensors, guiding students to interpret the data through distance-time graphs. (25 min)
Feedback and Reflection Session - Facilitate a session where students present their graphs and findings to peers for feedback, encouraging reflection on how these insights influence their weapon redesigns. (20 min)
Deliverables
1. Refined blueprints and models incorporating feedback from mid-project checkpoint.
2. Distance-time graphs demonstrating projectile motion data collected during experiments.
3. Reports detailing the impact of balanced and unbalanced forces on weapon designs, supported by Newton's First Law of Motion.
4. Documentation of thermal energy transfer experiments and their implications on weapon efficiency.
5. Reflection journals updated with insights gained from peer reviews and group discussions.
Preparation 1. Gather materials for thermal energy experiments, including thermometers, heat sources, and various materials for testing.
2. Prepare presentation guidelines and feedback sheets for mid-project checkpoint sessions.
3. Coordinate with the military historian for guest lecture scheduling and logistics.
4. Set up collaborative spaces and resources for group discussions and feedback reflection.
5. Ensure availability of distance-time graph plotting tools for students to visualize motion data.
Week 6
Day 6
Activities
Final Design Adjustments - Use previous feedback and peer reviews to make final adjustments to weapon designs, focusing on optimizing motion and force dynamics. Ensure that distance-time graphs align with design modifications. (20 min)
Exhibition Preparation - Organize and prepare all materials, including blueprints, models, and distance-time graphs, for the upcoming design showcase. Practice clear and concise explanations of design principles and historical context. (25 min)
Deliverables
1. Completed modernized weapon model with operational sensors for live demonstration at the Design Showcase.
2. Finalized strategic defense plan that integrates modern technology and historical analysis, ready for presentation.
3. Distance-time graphs derived from model testing, illustrating the motion data recorded by sensors.
4. Reflective journal entries summarizing the learning journey, including insights from peer and teacher feedback.
5. Feedback from the Design Showcase attendees, documenting strengths and areas for improvement in student presentations and models.
Preparation 1. Ensure all necessary materials and tools for model adjustments and final touches are available in the classroom.
2. Coordinate with campus and district administrators to confirm attendance at the 'Design Showcase'.
3. Prepare display tables and areas for each group to present their models and strategic plans effectively.
4. Organize technology resources, such as projectors or laptops, for groups needing digital presentations or simulations.
5. Secure feedback forms or digital platforms for exhibition attendees to provide constructive feedback to students.