7th+Grade--Tech+Ed

=Lab Safety and Animation= toc Since the law requires that all students pass a safety test with 100% before using any tools, we are learning about lab safety. And since we want everyone to remember the rules so we can be safe in the lab, we are taking some time to make an animation about it. Each group (2-3 students) will make a "Good Idea, Bad Idea" animation to help their classmates remember the rules. "Good Idea, Bad Idea" comes from a cartoon called "Animaniacs," where they would often show a very short clip of a good and bad idea. For example: "Good Idea: Climbing a mountain." (The animation shows a guy climbing a mountain.) "Bad Idea: Climbing a mountain lion." (The animation shows the same guy climbing on top of a very angry mountain lion, getting eaten, and then subsequently spit out.)

As applied to lab safety, it would look something like this: "Good Idea: Pounding in a nail with a hammer." (Rule: Use the correct tool for the job.) "Bad Idea: Pounding in a nail with a hammerhead shark." (You can imagine what this might look like.)

The rules: 1. NO blood. 2. It must have something to do with at least 1 lab safety rule listed on the review sheet.

The Good and Bad idea should be almost identical, with only 1-2 small changes to make it funny, strange, or otherwise unexpected. The animation should also begin VERY similarly (same posture, same camera angles/shots) with only 1-2 changes to fit the words.

For some examples, search "good idea, bad idea" to view the videos on youtube or another website. =

Strengths and Weaknesses= We spent some time in class learning about strengths and weaknesses. We learned that we should find ways to use our individual strengths to our advantage and to form partnerships with people who compliment our weaknesses. We watched a video called, "The Truth About You," wherein Marcus Buckingham, a prominent public speaker explains how to figure out what your strengths are and how to play to them.

The object of this lesson was to help students find out what makes them stronger as a person and begin using that knowledge to make goals for what they will pursue in life. Because Tech Ed, as a class, falls under the Career and Technical Education department, this lesson is particularly important in helping the students find out what they can do with their lives that will bring success, happiness, and satisfaction.

=Production Game= This game is a competition between "manufacturing companies" made up of different-sized groups of students. As a retailer, I bought different products from the manufacturing companies, awarding points for well-made items. Students learned the importance of quality craftsmanship, gained a working knowledge of quality control, and learned a little bit about unequal distribution of materials and resources across manufacturing companies.

=Engineering Design--Harmless Holders= We are starting a new project in order to learn the engineering design process. The process is REALLY FUN and can be used in almost any situation--especially in innovation!

The design brief for this project can be found at: []

or

[]

Your goal is to make an environmentally friendly way to conveniently hold 6 full cans of soda. In groups of 3 or 4, you will brainstorm ideas, create a few designs, make a prototype, test it out, and redesign if necessary. You will present your design to the class and give a brief demo of how it should work.

Your materials are listed in the design brief, but I will list them here as well:


 * 6 full cans of soda, seltzer, or juice
 * cardboard (approx. 8.5x11 in.)
 * copier paper
 * duct tape
 * wax paper
 * string
 * 8 popsicle sticks
 * 6 rubber bands

Good luck!

=Building Structures--Paper Towers= Students who were in class recieved 5 points for participation in a discussion about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Did you know that it was built three stories at a time with two wars in between each set of stories? And that, according to legend, the top tier wasn't meant to be smaller, but that they measured wrong?? For 10 more points, students were given 1 piece of white computer paper, 10 inches of masking tape, and a pair of scissors to create a tower that stood at least 24" tall.

If you missed this day, you can make up all 15 points by researching a famous tower (Eiffel, The Dymamic Towers in Dubai, Empire State Building, the White House, etc.) and preparing a 3-5 minute presentation to give to the class when you return. Remember to make it interesting! :)

=Chief Architect Presentation= Project managers need to be prepared to give a short (3 min) presentation on their room designs. You should not have to ask your teammates for any help during these presentations. It would be best if you did not read from the projector or have your back to the class as you present. We want to hear your reasoning for the arrangement you made and we want to hear what a great job your team members did in completing the assignment.

This is your first project and worth the most points of the year. Please make sure you do a good job and prepare as needed.

=1st Term Assignments= So far, we've had the following assignments. If you have a less-than-desirable grade in my class, it's probably because you didn't turn something in or you didn't complete it before you turned it in. Feel free to download any assignment and turn it in. I will still give you points for it.

Survey Fill out this survey for 10 points. I want to know what you like to do so we can do things in class that you are interested in.

Name Tag Sketch 5 different ideas for a name tag before creating your final draft on the yellow paper available in the classroom. Your name tag should be legible (read-able), neat, and have at least one picture on it.

Parent signature/Class description I would love for your parents to also be a part of your learning experiences. I've created this document so they know what to expect from me. Please go home and read through this with them. Both of you need to sign the last page so you can bring it back to me for 10 points.

Height Chart This was a group activity done in class. Everyone should have had enough time to finish it during class and turn it in. Some people did not choose to use their class time wisely and, as a result, did not get a good grade on this assignment. It is not available for make-up.

Room Arrangement The instructions are on the paper. If you would like to use graph paper, it is available in the classroom. For those of you who would like to make up points from the height chart, you may do more than one room.

Chief Architect Project For most classes, this meant finding a way to re-arrange the classroom in a way that fit the needs of their client (Ms. Heintz). We will vote for the best design from each class and find one that best suits our needs. We will hopefully re-arrange the classroom very soon. This was our first class project. We spent about 3 weeks working on it in groups.

I am available before school, during lunch, and after school for those students who would like to come in and finish their projects. If you are planning to come in during any of those times, please schedule it with me first, as I may have a meeting, etc.

=Welcome to our class wiki!= Here you will find information about assignments, class announcements, and links to interesting websites and competitions you can enter. We're going to bring the world into our classroom as much as possible, so if you find something you want to share, please do it!

See you in class! Ms. Heintz