8 STEM
Students made their version of a solar bottle light http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-a-SOLAR-BOTTLE-BULB/ We looked at the website, then students designed their own and tested it outside. Took one lesson in total.Was interesting to see the variation in designs.Students greatly enjoyed this activity. Will go over the science of this briefly next lesson http://physicsbuzz.physicscentral.com/2011/09/solar-bottle-superhero.html and http://www.scienceinschool.org/2014/issue29/solar_bulb Also of interest http://www.scientiareview.org/pdfs/226.pdf And here is the night time version http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/liter-of-lights-solar-powered-diy-lamp-made-from-a-plastic-bottle-is-transforming-lives-9993728.html
There are also some images below of revising scale with hands-on grid paper activity. Good quick video http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1504070/it-s-all-a-matter-of-scale
Some tinkercad resources:
Locket https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LlWBc4_vDkR3p0LU9mR0VkMWs/view?usp=sharing
Saving and printing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LlWBc4_vDkdnFLaWVuUnFBYUE/view?usp=sharing
Sizing guide https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LlWBc4_vDkLWxlVzA1cU1NWVE/view?usp=sharing
Make name plate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7abt0IvSXE&index=2&list=PLxnBlY3ablCkVO3_fwYIbWzs0Hb9lpfgG
Setting up an account in tinkercad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf5kW6myGEs&list=PLxnBlY3ablCkVO3_fwYIbWzs0Hb9lpfgG&index=1
See lots of projects: https://www.thingiverse.com/
Solar light instructions https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0LlWBc4_vDkRFpCQTJNZkUzTU0/view
Extension Activities
http://littlebits.cc/lessons/hack-my-house-workshop
https://elketeaches.wordpress.com/2015/12/23/house/
Students use the mod minecraft world http://services.minecraftedu.com/worlds/node/141 to design a 6m by 6m house that displays sustainable features, that they will then make into a real life model out of recycled materials- maximum floor area of model 360cm squared ie. equivalent to 60cm by 60cm, but can be any shape.
Your house needs to consider solar aspect, size windows, eaves, energy, shading (can have up to 20m square additional outdoor living space), ventilation, water collection, shape, aesthetics, efficiency. So, do not choose an auto populate method.
Resources:
Other activities:
4 STEM term units. Teachers team-teach same unit; students rotate.
Food for Thought 10 weeks, 3 * 50 min lessons per week To foster an appreciation of safe, sustainable and successful food production
Project: create a new food product that is nutritious, produced from locally sustainable sources and can be easily and safely prepared. Design packaging for the product, including a nutrition label. Describe food handling and preparation to minimize foodborne illness. Design and produce advertising for a product launch.
Activities by week
Home Sweet Home 10 weeks, 3 * 50 min lessons
With rising populations, we need homes that are sustainable, affordable and energy efficient.
Project: design and build a model of a small home that demonstrates principles of sustainability
Activities by week
Patterns of Life 10 weeks, 3 * 50 min lessons
Explore Mathematics as a means to describe aspects of our environment, as well as opportunities to plan and construct artistic models that are influenced by Maths in both physical and animated form.
Activities by week
Trash Into Treasure 10 weeks, 3 * 50 min lessons Greenhouse gases and global warming