INTEGRATED SCIENCE, MATH AND TECHNOLOGY ACTIVITIES:

The following is an example of an integrated activity to show the possible SMT connections to the above challenges.

The mechanical principle of the lever as a simple machine is an excellent way to introduce the activity. Students need to understand the principles of leverage and the effects of adjusting the pivot point or fulcrum, The catapult?s performance may be charted and/or graphed using hand techniques or a spreadsheet application.  This will help students accurately predict the range. Concepts of probability may also be introduced.

                                 TRIAL 1            TRIAL 2           TRIAL 3

Distance (cm).

Offset (cm)

Accuracy

                                 TRIAL 1            TRIAL 2           TRIAL 3

Load and Amt.

Launch Angle

Distance (cm)

D/W ratio x 100

Additional concepts and competencies include: Graph relationships; alignments; structures; velocity; trajectory; gravity; speed; time; elasticity; and stress.

PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS:

These steps may be helpful to students in approaching their activity:

• Form cooperative groups (2 to 3 people)
• Brainstorm for ideas
• Sketch possible solutions
• Decide how to construct, maneuver, operate, etc. the project
• Decide on and gather materials
• Construct your design
• Test your design
• Present your design

RESOURCES:

The intended challenges were designed to be open-ended and flexible to meet a wide range of learning levels. Please feel free to incorporate additional material(s) to enhance each lesson. The categories of Exploratory, Intermediate, and Advanced are general guides so that your students may adapt the necessary context into a social and personal meaning for themselves. Creative anticipatory sets may be included to introduce each challenge. Additional materials may be found at the following locations:

• "History of Technology," London: Mansell Publishing
• TIES Magazine, http://www.tiesmagazine.org
• Various Ancient and World History Texts
• National Catapult Museum, www.nzp.com

The following Curriculum/Standards Connections for grades 5-8 are intended to aid in the use and assessment of the design challenge projects.  NOTE: These connections have been extracted from the National Standards.  You should check their correlation with your own State Curriculum Standards to ensure consistency with your curriculum goals.

Note on Assessment:  We strongly recommend using the Student Reflection Sheet and the Rubric provided in the Appendix to enhance the learning process, by encouraging student awareness and participation in the assessment of their work.  These tools can help students to understand the context, meaning, and value of undertaking these challenges.

PROPOSED CURRICULUM STANDARDS CONNECTIONS: