scitelebx.html

1990, Bronx New York

As A STAR school we were part of a TERC sponsored telecommuncations project. Teachers received training, software and were part of a large network of schools studying different math and science concepts.

Our first poject focused on design issues and how form and function are interrelated. Students were challenged to build a helicopter out of a piece of paper and improve the design so it stayed in air longer. In this picture we are determining which of three models remained in the air the longest.

Their next challenge was to create the tallest, free standing tower out of just one piece of paper and 3 centimeters of tape. Students worked through lunch and stayed after school to complete their projects. Our winning tower was 43 inches high, almost the height of some of our students.

As a final project students had to create a device out of paper and tape that slowed the decent of a falling ball. Three distinct models were created and the one pictures on the left was our class winner-the Learning Tower of Pizza.
Students drew diagrams of their products and e-mailed them to other students in our group.

Our next Star schools project focused on design issues in building a solar house. Students could select 2 colors of paints, use cellophane and cardboard boxes to build their houses.

Solar houses were then measured for their efficency in maintaining heat. ALl houses were exposed to a sunlamp for 10 minutes.

The temperature drop over a ten minute period was then calculated for each house using a Science temperature probe. The program, Science Tool Kit by Broderbund, also printed out graphs of the rate of temperature drop.

Our next project looked at the Health of Trees. Students examined a number of factors: They identified the trees, measured diameter, feeding area, and estimated the number of healthy leaves.

The students had enjoyed these telecommunication project so much that I sought out another. Through a grant from The City College of NY, I was apple to connect my class to one in Southern England. Students at both sites tested for acid rain.

They learned how to perform a controlled test, they learned about Great Britain, and they learned the significance of Acid Rain on our environment.

Finally, students published their findings in a desk top publishing program called Publish-IT!

	As A STAR school we were part of a TERC sponsored telecommuncations project. Teachers received training, software and were part of a large network of schools studying different math and science concepts.
	Our first poject focused on design issues and how form and function are interrelated. Students were challenged to build a helicopter out of a piece of paper and improve the design so it stayed in air longer. In this picture we are determining which of three models remained in the air the longest.
	Their next challenge was to create the tallest, free standing tower out of just one piece of paper and 3 centimeters of tape. Students worked through lunch and stayed after school to complete their projects. Our winning tower was 43 inches high, almost the height of some of our students.
	As a final project students had to create a device out of paper and tape that slowed the decent of a falling ball. Three distinct models were created and the one pictures on the left was our class winner-the Learning Tower of Pizza. Students drew diagrams of their products and e-mailed them to other students in our group.
	Our next Star schools project focused on design issues in building a solar house. Students could select 2 colors of paints, use cellophane and cardboard boxes to build their houses.
	Solar houses were then measured for their efficency in maintaining heat. ALl houses were exposed to a sunlamp for 10 minutes.
	The temperature drop over a ten minute period was then calculated for each house using a Science temperature probe. The program, Science Tool Kit by Broderbund, also printed out graphs of the rate of temperature drop.
	Our next project looked at the Health of Trees. Students examined a number of factors: They identified the trees, measured diameter, feeding area, and estimated the number of healthy leaves.
	The students had enjoyed these telecommunication project so much that I sought out another. Through a grant from The City College of NY, I was apple to connect my class to one in Southern England. Students at both sites tested for acid rain.
	They learned how to perform a controlled test, they learned about Great Britain, and they learned the significance of Acid Rain on our environment.
	Finally, students published their findings in a desk top publishing program called Publish-IT!