Maker Project 1- The Wrecking Machine

Over the summer I had the unique opportunity to create some maker curriculum for my district (Kentfield School District). I was really intrigued with the NGSS and knew that I was going to start the curriculum by touching on some of the new standards, but also knew that my district was ok with some freestyle making for the sake of making. So, off I went into my own personal workshop (garage) to play and experience some making of my own. I build a desk. Tried to build a table and I visited Lighthouse Charter School in Oakland to learn how they do what they do (If you get the chance, go to one of their PD's). This all culminated with my colleague, Beth Espinoza, and I ordering maker carts and materials for our school (shout outs to Peter Goetz and Peter Zingg). We were fortunate enough to benefit from fundraising that our fundraising machine (KIK) raised and PTA donated to better fund these carts. 

Fast forward to the beginning of school and kids are finally getting their hands on the materials and curriculum. I even had parents making things during Back to School Night for their kids! We played with the Marshmallow Challenge to get us started, which resulted in total failure from all groups. No sweat, we will be coming back to this in a few weeks to apply what we are learning. 

Yesterday the kids took on their next big Maker Challenge- Make a machine that can knock another object down. In this case, the 'other object' was a wall made of wooden blocks, and the machines were as varied as the kids themselves. They used fabric, styrofoam, cardboard, clothes pins, dowels, wheels, corks and string, to name a few materials. Initially, they got organized by making a quick sketch and creating a shopping list. Once at the maker cart, they loaded up their carts with goodies (careful not to overdo) and were engaging with peers about possible designs during this time. While in the midst of the build process, the kids were able to prototype and refine continually, going through the iterative process throughout the 50 minutes they had to create this contraption. They were collaborating like mad with classmates, both within their group as well as crowd sourcing ideas to gain a creative edge.

In the end, only one group was actually able to knock down the wall, but each group was successful in design conversation and engaging with peers to problem solve, rapid prototyping and gaining a great understanding of force and motion. Each group also came away with a new plan for the next build, now with a further understanding of creating something that is heavier and larger in order to generate more force to knock down the wall. 

Next week, more walls will come tumbling down in room 26.