3^rd

We continued working on building our Airbag Landing Systems today.  Many students had to modify their designs as they were working.  We were able to finish building them today.  Next week, we will test them!

3^rd Grade

Today they finished brainstorming ideas and designed their chosen solutions for the Airbag Landing project.  Then they began building it.  We already have some students modifying their designs like Rosie Revere had to.  Next time, we will continue working on building our designs.

3^rd Grade

We finished writing questions to guide our research, then we used the Chromebooks and available materials to answer our questions.  They did a lot of testing with the materials, especially the tape.  Everyone completed brainstorming in addition to their research.  Before we left, they shared their ideas with the group.

3^rd Grade

We began a new project today.  First, we read Rosie Revere, Engineer and discussed what engineers do, using a notebook, and the need to modify a design and try again.  Then we read the design brief for our Airbag-Landing System design challenge.  Students will be designing and building an airbag-landing system in the style of those used with the Spirit and Opportunity rovers.  They will try to build an airbag-landing system to protect their rover (egg) from the Martian surface (classroom floor). We watched a video animation of NASA’s airbag-landing system.  Finally, they wrote down a few questions that they want to answer when we conduct some research on the Chromebooks next week.      

3^rd Grade

Today we finished typing our essays for the Name the Rover Challenge!  Some students were able to start writing their Alien Edition.  For this mini-project they combined their knowledge of government and the solar system to develop their own planet.  Drawing on their knowledge from class, they worked to write a magazine called Alien Edition.  The students created a government, rules, a national anthem, weather, and citizens of the planet, as well as other things. 

3^rd Grade

We are working hard to finish our essays for the Name the Rover Challenge.  As students finish, they can work with the KEVA planks to build contraptions.  Today we learned that every Mars rover has been named by a student!  We also read the essay that gave Curiosity its name.

3^rd Grade

Today we continued working on typing our final drafts, revising, and editing.  Their essays are turning out great. 

3^rd Grade

We continued working on our rough drafts for the Name the Rover Challenge today.  They shared their finished rough drafts with each other and gave feedback.  Then they began typing their final draft.

3^rd Grade

Today they worked on filling out a persuasive essay graphic organizer with their selected name and reasons why the judges should pick their name.  After meeting with me to discuss their ideas, they began writing a rough draft.

3^rd Grade

We discussed ideas for rover names, acronyms, the landing location for the Mars 2020 rover, and how to write a persuasive essay.  Students researched and brainstormed ideas for names.