Launch
🚤 Splash and Sketch Social (135 min)
Collaboration
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Content Expertise
Self Directed Learning
Academic Mindset
Product
Assessment
Reflection
Core Content
Project Launch
Community Partners
Essential Question
Submission Required
Students will be introduced to the Red Hook Regatta, what typically the mission is and look at previous models from students in 2024. Students will write who they want to work with and who they do not want to work with on a card so that I can create groups. Students will be introduced to the materials, but will not get to "touch" them until all the orders have been received (I ordered spare kits) Student will then spend at least an hour working through the advanced part design course in the ONshape Learning Center. Students also must incorporate either a circuit or an arduino board to serve some function that either adds to performance or the creativity of their designs.
Plan day
Day 1
Duration
135 min
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
9 steps
Lesson plan
9 steps · 135 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome students to the Red Hook Regatta launch, introduce the essential question, and frame the project as a community-connected design challenge linked to Pioneer Works, Red Hook Initiative, and Billion Oyster Project. Share the long-term product goal of creating a scaled boat model for competition and preview the project workflow, reflection routines, and weekly design-review gallery walks. (15 min) |
| 2 | Show and discuss examples of previous student boats from 2024. Guide students to notice design choices related to strength, stability, propulsion, electronics, creativity, and competition readiness. Capture student observations publicly under headings such as 'strong,' 'stable,' 'fast,' and 'interesting feature.' (15 min) |
| 3 | Run a partner interview social. Have students pair up, introduce themselves, and interview each other about design interests, prior experience with CAD, electronics, remote-control vehicles, teamwork habits, and what they hope to contribute to the regatta project. End with a quick share-out from several pairs. (15 min) |
| 4 | Ask students to complete a private team-preference card naming people they would like to work with, people they work well with, and any teaming concerns the facilitator should know. Collect cards and explain that this information will support balanced group formation and shared decision-making later. (10 min) |
| 5 | Introduce the available build materials, spare kits, and component categories without distributing them yet. Explain handling expectations, safety norms, and the reason materials will remain secured until orders and inventory are finalized. Clarify that every final design must include either a circuit or an Arduino-based function that improves performance or adds creativity. (10 min) |
| 6 | Lead a short concept sketch burst. Students independently create one quick annotated sketch of a possible boat idea that includes a hull concept, one stability or strength feature, and one possible electronics or Arduino feature. Invite students to post or display sketches for a brief informal walk-and-look. (15 min) |
| 7 | Transition to computers and orient students to the Onshape Learning Center advanced part design course. Model how to log in, locate the assigned lessons, pace themselves, document progress, and ask for support. Emphasize that this CAD work is the first step toward turning ideas into a competition-ready model. (10 min) |
| 8 | Students work through the assigned advanced Onshape part design lessons while the facilitator conferences with individuals, checks account access, and supports students who need help with navigation, vocabulary, or task sequencing. Encourage students to take notes on tools or features they may use later in their boat design. (35 min) |
| 9 | Close with a reflection routine. Students complete a quick daily boat-build check-in by sharing one academic gain and one teamwork or self-management success from today, then do a short partner talk about what they learned from examples and sketches, what questions they still have, and what kind of team role they may want in the project. (10 min) |
Preparation (12 items)
- Prepare a short visual introduction to the Red Hook Regatta, including the event purpose, date, neighborhood connection, and roles of Pioneer Works, Red Hook Initiative, and Billion Oyster Project.
- Gather and organize 2024 student boat examples, photos, or videos that show a range of successful and unsuccessful design choices.
- Create a visible launch slide or board with the essential question, product goal, project timeline, reflection routines, and weekly design-review gallery walk expectations.
- Set up partner interview prompts focused on design interests, CAD experience, electronics knowledge, teamwork habits, and project goals.
- Prepare confidential team-preference cards or forms with space for preferred collaborators, collaboration concerns, and self-identified strengths.
- Stage build materials, spare kits, electronics, and Arduino-related components for viewing only, with labels that identify each category and its possible function.
- Prepare a short materials and safety briefing that explains access rules, storage expectations, and why students will not handle components yet.
- Provide sketching supplies and a simple prompt sheet that asks students to include a hull idea, one strength or stability feature, and one electronics or Arduino feature.
- Ensure all student devices can access Onshape and the assigned advanced part design course; preload links, test logins, and prepare a backup access plan.
- Create a progress tracker or checkpoint list for the Onshape session so students can monitor what lesson they complete during the work block.
- Prepare sentence stems for reflection and partner talk, including prompts for academic gains, teamwork or self-management successes, and remaining questions.
- Plan facilitator conference moves for students who are new to CAD, need language support, or finish early and are ready to explore additional Onshape tools.
Student-facing instructions
Today you will launch the regatta project by learning about the competition, studying past boat models, sharing your design interests, and beginning your CAD learning in Onshape. You will first listen to the project introduction and use examples from past boats to notice what makes a design strong, stable, and competition-ready. Then you will interview a partner about design interests, teamwork preferences, and experience with CAD, electronics, or remote-control systems. You will complete a private team-preference card so the facilitator can build balanced groups. Next, you will look at the available materials and components without handling them yet, and you will learn that your future boat must include either a circuit or an Arduino-based function that supports performance or creativity. You will make one quick annotated boat sketch showing a hull idea, one strength or stability feature, and one possible electronics feature. After that, you will log into Onshape and work through the assigned advanced part design lessons, tracking your progress and asking for support when needed. You will need a device, your Onshape login, sketching materials, and your reflection prompt. Your goal is to leave class with a clear understanding of the challenge, your initial design thinking started, and meaningful progress in the CAD course.