Saugus Iron Works PBU

Ferryway fifth graders transformed the school lobby into an extended classroom as they shared their learning with fourth graders, parents, teachers and school administrators. The 2008 Technology Showcase ran from 1 to 3:30 PM on Tuesday, June 3rd. The showcase gave students a unique opportunity to communicate what they learned during the Saugus Iron Works Project-Based Unit (PBU) experience. It featured a total of 11 stations in which students volunteered to present their work in a science fair setting. One highlight was the final competition of student built waterwheels concluding a hands-on study of the engineering design process. Students tested their prototype designs in April, debriefed as a team on how to improve their designs, and then worked to implement the redesigns tested today. A majority of waterwheels lifted heavier loads compared to April. At the waterwheel multimedia station students used an HP laptop and projector setup to demonstrate how online interactive learning helped them understand engineering concepts such as torque and efficiency. A new addition to this year's SIW field trip was a photojournalist lesson where students were given the task of using digital cameras to capture images of categories such as engineering, natural resources, and colonial life. The photojournalists showed their photos on a student wiki site using HP tablet computers. The importance of identifying natural resources was one of the more popular activities as fourth graders tested sample minerals using tools such as a tiles, a nail, a magnet and a flash light.
Did our fifth graders succeed in teaching next year's fifth graders? View the online results of the Grade 4 technology showcase survey. Our fourth graders are certainly eager to enter the fifth grade with an eye toward waterwheels. Thanks go out to our entire Ferryway fifth grade team, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Teixeira, Mr. Richmond, and Tufts engineering intern, Andy Chang for making the event a success.

Labels: "technology showcase", Ferryway, SIW, waterwheel