Students and Teachers Set Sail to Discover the Nature of Energy
The Windsor 8 house is deep into its expedition: "WINDsor In Motion." This expedition investigates energy and motion. In science, students are learning about energy, alternative energy sources (like solar, tidal, and wind power), and motion. In conjunction with their science studies, students are designing and building rockets, kinetic sculptures, and fiberglass sailboats in Technology Education classes. Students will design and analyze the performance of these products using math concepts including rate, ratio, and proportion. Continuing with the themes of motion and energy, students are reading the novel “Whirligig” in English class. They will also be writing persuasive essays where they defend the importance of one type of alternative energy. In social studies, students are examining the Industrial Revolution and the changes that occurred in our country as a result of new technologies.
The “WINDsor In Motion” expedition has many field components. Incorporating the concepts of motion, energy, and boat building, we kicked off the expedition with a sailing cruise around Casco Bay aboard the schooners Bagheera and Windameen. Students have field tested their rockets and will be filming their trajectories for analysis in science class. In conjunction with the Facilities Department of Portland Schools, students investigated different energy levels throughout the school (heat, sound, light, and room pressure). As our studies of motion progress, we will investigate the speed of falling objects and cars traveling through the school zone. The Expedition will culminate in the early winter with an indoor sailboat regatta. Kinetic sculptures, rockets, persuasive essays and other products will be on display as well. The teachers and students are excited and energized!
energy, alternative energy sources (like solar, tidal, and wind power), and motion. In conjunction with their science studies, students are designing and building rockets, kinetic sculptures, and fiberglass sailboats in Technology Education classes. Students will design and analyze the performance of these products using math concepts including rate, ratio, and proportion. Continuing with the themes of motion and energy, students are reading the novel “Whirligig” in English class. They will also be writing persuasive essays where they defend the importance of one type of alternative energy. In social studies, students are examining the Industrial Revolution and the changes that occurred in our country as a result of new technologies.
The “WINDsor In Motion” expedition has many field components. Incorporating the concepts of motion, energy, and boat building, we kicked off the expedition with a sailing cruise around Casco Bay aboard the schooners Bagheera and Windameen. Students have field tested their rockets and will be filming their trajectories for analysis in science class. In conjunction with the Facilities Department of Portland Schools, students investigated different energy levels throughout the school (heat, sound, light, and room pressure). As our studies of motion progress, we will investigate the speed of falling objects and cars traveling through the school zone. The Expedition will culminate in the early winter with an indoor sailboat regatta. Kinetic sculptures, rockets, persuasive essays and other products will be on display as well. The teachers and students are excited and energized!