Engineering Design Process for STEM

Project Coaster

Engineering Design Process for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Introduction: Students, you will learn, extend, and apply the following:  Reference and research skills (WebQuest, project data analysis, graph designing and interpreting)  Technical reporting (PowerPoint presentation)  Science terms/concepts in construction of roller coaster {laws of motion (Newton), acceleration, centripetal force, inertia, momentum, projectile motion, angular momentum, velocity (and speed), weight (vs. mass), gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy, energy transfer (mechanical to thermal, sound, mechanical changes, etc), friction}

As the multi-week project unfolds, you will apply the content-specific knowledge that you gain from centers, labs, and activities in the design of your very own model roller coaster. This is a STEM project designed by yours truly ;). We will be following the design process for STEM to help organize, create, and build! YOUR GOAL is to build a roller coaster that is both SAFE (meaning the marble you will use cannot fall off the track and it has to slow down at the end to a stop (or almost stop) AND FUN! Loops, barrel rolls, interesting launching and breaking systems, whatever you want! You will be choosing your own groups (2-3 people). You MUST make this decision wisely, as once the groups are decided you WILL make it work. Thought should be given as to where each of you lives (for possible out-of-class work), friendships, productivity, and personality compatibility. Since you are choosing your teammates, if problems occur they must be worked out. I will not be changing groups as this is not fair to those in the class who are productive throughout the process. CHOOSE WISELY! The Process: The project is organized in three phases that generate knowledge about design principles of roller coasters:

 Phase 1: Accessing prior knowledge about roller coasters.  Introduction to Coasters  Journal Entry 1—ASK (STEP 1 for STEM design).  Phase 2: Investigating content specific skills/concepts and knowledge with experiments that build understanding. During this phase, we will also tie in prior learned concepts such as energy and energy transfer. ALSO in this phase we will be expanding knowledge of roller coaster design with research and further experimenting related to roller coasters. *See learning scales!  Various activities and experiments to explore new concepts(STEP 2 for STEM-IMAGINE)  Internet Scavenger Hunts (WebQuests)  Journal Entries  Several Quizzes (to show comprehension after each activity)  Phase 3: Applying new knowledge to the design and construction of a roller coaster model.  Blueprint of model coaster, rationale for model, and sample data for test run (STEP 3 for STEM--PLAN)  Design of PowerPoint presentation to display research from ISH (WebQuest) AND above blueprint, rationale, and sample data *Will include the learned scientific concepts in action  Construction of coaster! Steps 4 (CREATE) and 5 (IMPROVE) for STEM. Below are the grading categories and point values: Component Point Values Grading % of Science Grade Category (already listed in course outline) Phase 1 Journal 1 10 points Homework 10% Phase 2 Journals (Reflections) 10 points each Homework 10% *Labs/Activities (Completion of 20 points each Classwork 30% Questions) *Some may be homework too! Labs/Activities Participation 5 points each Classwork 30% (Group Evaluation) Quizzes TBA (varies per quiz) Test/Quiz 50% Phase 3 *Blueprint of Coaster (etc.) 50 points Classwork 30% -Actual Diagram *Rubric to come -Rationale -Sample Data (includes graphs) *PowerPoint Presentation 75 points Classwork 30% -Evidence of research *Rubric to come -Rationale -Sample Data (graphs included) -Evidence of understanding of all concepts PowerPoint Presentation Eval. 20 points Classwork 30% * Actual Model of Roller Coaster 50 points Classwork 30% -Construction *Rubric to come -Actual Data and Graphs Actual Model of Roller Coaster Eval. 20 points Classwork 30% Concluding Essay/Presentation 100 points Test/Quiz 50% -Essay shows understanding of *Rubric to come Energy, Force, and Motion as well as all topics given in rubric. This is an explanation of your roller coaster. This will serve as the TEST for Force and Motion 

* = Group work

After Winter Break, we will be off and running in the design process. It is expected that some work be done at home. It is up to you and your partner(s) to distribute work EVENLY and come to class prepared. You must use class time diligently. There is no extra time built in our calendar, nor will any of the 8th grade teachers be giving you lunch time in their rooms for you to work. Mrs. Twedt will be available for SOME lunches and Wed. help sessions, but lunch appointments MUST be made in advance and might not be approved if off-task behavior is displayed in class.