Students should have their scale model boat built and tested by Thursday at the latest.  If  your boat is tested on Thursday, you can complete the engineering packet over the weekend and be ready for group design on Monday (depending on the score of your answers).

Mr. Kaylor has graciously decided to offer extra help after school on Monday and Tuesday.  If you need extra help with your boat packet, you are welcome to stay after school from 2:50 – 4:20 pm on Monday and/or Tuesday.  However, if you come to one of these help sessions, your packet must be completed to the best of your ability.  Mr. Kaylor will not be able to walk you through the entire process again.  It is expected that you will try your best on the project throughout the weekend.

Mr. Kaylor and I were discussing the boat project after class this morning and discovering that students were struggling with some of the math.  Math is an important component of the engineering process but it seems like the math is getting in the way of progress for some students.  We have been telling students to make a model boat that contains at least three features.  Adding “features” to the boat increases the level of mathematical difficulty and it is our fear that this is getting in the way of engineering progress.

Therefore, on Standard 91213, each feature requirement for the designated grade levels will be downgraded by one feature.

to get a 5 – students must design a 3 feature boat
to get a 4 – students need to have at least a 2 feature boat
to get a 3 – designs must include 2 features
to get a 2 – designs must include 1 feature

all other requirements in the rubric remain unchanged!

We are growing a little concerned at the lack of progress by some students in class (it appears students are “skipping ahead”). While the boat packet is not technically due until next week; we are STRONGLY encouraging students to work on Model 2 in conjunction with the class model 1. Model 1 will help students understand Model 2. Parents, please check your student’s boat packet to make sure that they are “keeping up.” Many students are not using their time wisely in class – WE DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE GROUP BOAT YET. At this point, students should be focused on their individual model 2 and that alone!

Remember, podcasts and notes are available on the site!

If you are looking for design ideas for your boat and need some inspiration (or a better understanding of what will be happening over the next couple of weeks) check out the Boat Pictures!