Middle School Math & Engineering

VMI STEM ConferenceOctober 2014

• Presented by Diane Leighty

Your Immersion into STEM begins NOW!

Hard hats, safety glasses, and snacks provided!!!

Your 1st Design Challenge

• Materials– 2 sheets of paper– NO OTHER Materials may be used!

• Challenge– Build a tower as tall as you can make it that will stand

on its own.

Sharing & Discussion

• What was the most challenging aspect of this task?

• If you could have one additional resource, what would it be and why?

• What mathematics do you see in this task?

• What other skills are needed to be successful in this task? Process Standards?

WHY ENGINEERING?

Engineering Skills For ALL!

Communication Creativity/Inventiveness Critical Thinking Skills/Problem

Solving Applied math & science Research skills Collaboration – team work!

Engineering in our world

Engineers ________

Build

Design

Create

Invent

Have Fun

Work

Think

Rock

ALL OF THE ABOVE

What Engineers DO…. Math

Calculating beam sizes, duct sizes, concrete thickness

Utilizing formulas A lot of simple addition, subtraction,

multiplication, division Must Avoid Mistakes!

Science Analyze Forces (Wind, Earthquake, Gravity) Understand Airflow (Ductwork) Utilize Heat Transfer Theory (Cooling Water,

Boilers)

Knowledge and Skills Required

Routine Daily Requirements Reading Graphs Field Measurements XYZ Coordinate Interpretation Develop Microsoft Excel spreadsheets Converting metric to US Standard Converting “Ft-in” to decimal Scaling drawings (ratio)

Science Standards K-121. Develop and use an experimental design in scientific inquiry. 2. Use the language of science to communicate understanding. 3. Investigate phenomena using technology. 4. Apply scientific concepts, skills, and processes to everyday experiences. 5. Experience the richness and excitement of scientific discovery of the natural world through the collaborative quest for knowledge and understanding.

Science Standards K-127. Develop scientific dispositions and habits of mind including: • curiosity; • demand for verification; • respect for logic and rational thinking; • consideration of premises and consequences; • respect for historical contributions; • attention to accuracy and precision; and • patience and persistence.

8. Develop an understanding of the interrelationship of science with technology, engineering and mathematics.

Math Process Goals

The content of the mathematics standards is intended to support the following five goals for students: becoming mathematical problem solvers, communicating mathematically, reasoning mathematically, making mathematical connections, using mathematical representations to model and interpret practical situations.

Math Standards Of Learning

Computation

Measurements, unit conversions

Size, shape, material characteristics

Data collection, graphical representation

Scale models

Valid conclusions from analyzing data

Experimental results in written form

Your 2nd Design Challenge Materials

One box Tape Scissors Paper bag to collect “parts”.

Challenge Build a new box out of the original one that

is now a cube with the same volume as the original box.

Plan a design for your box

Measure your box and calculate its volume.

Calculate the lengths of the sides of the new box that will be in the shape of a cube.

Determine how the materials will be used in the creation of the cube.

Implement your design- 15 minutes

Build your box. What is the surface area of your box? What materials are left over? What is the

surface area of these materials?

Discussion

Share your new box with the group.

How do the surface areas of the original and new box compare?

How and when to use?

What mathematics is used? Is there more that can be done

with the information collected? If so, what?

Gumdrop DomeDesign Brief

Materials: 25 gumdrops 10 toothpicks Ruler (cm and inches)

Create Your Design Design a geometric “solid” that:

Uses all of the toothpicks; Has at least 6 sides. Will not bend, twist, or collapse easily

when pushed on.

Implement Your Design

Build your design. Test your design by gently pushing

on all sides. If time allows improve your design

or create a different design that will meet the criteria.

Share Results

Share with the whole group your design, and how well it “worked” – was it able to sustain itself from the force of a “push”?

Application of the Lesson

What is needed in order for your students to successfully complete this design challenge?

How can you adapt this lesson for your students?

What questions can you ask the students?

Virtual Field Trip Component:

ACEC/MSIC Virtual Field Trip

Field Trips

The New State Capitol

New Kent Rest Area

I-295 Short Pump Improvements

Marine Corps Museum

Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex

James River Water Plant

Miller & Rhoads Bldg. Renovation(New Hilton Hotel)

Students Engaged….

shows some of the experiences

What’s Next? Lessons in the classroom One per 9-week grading period Integrate into regular curriculum –

NOT an add-on! Keep it SIMPLE! Work together. As your PTO/parents to contribute

materials.

Where can we get the lessons?

Children’s Engineering websites http://www.childrensengineering.com/ http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/

CTE/te/K-5/Engineering/ http://www.childrensengineering.com/

everydaydesignbriefs.htm

PBS Websites

Building Big – PBS website

Zoom – PBS website

Additional Resources for Middle School Teachers

ASCE Building Big Educators’ Guide at www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/index.html provides classroom exercises in understanding bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams, tunnel and local wonders.

West Point Bridge Contest – an annual internet based interactive bridge design contest at bridgecontest.usma.edu

Richmond Joint Engineers Council Engineers’ Week annual paper competition.

ASCE Engineers’ Week Bridge Design Competition at the Richmond Science Museum.

ASME Engineers’ Week Egg Drop Competition at the Richmond Science Museum.

Annual Girls in Engineering hosted by the SWE at the Richmond Science Museum.

Local Engineering Association representatives available to speak to middle school classes from ASCE and VTCA as well as many others.