Technology Class Projects

So what do we do in this class, work with computers?

Visual Vocabulary Project

Michael Clisura

EDST6304

Fall 2009

Electric Cars

Body and chassis are constructed from corrugated plastic sheet. Electrical circuit consists of D.C. motor, switch and battery/holder. Various propulsion methods are used such as gears, pulley/rubber band and propeller.

Water Rocket

A plastic bottle with a cardboard nose cone for aerodynamics and fins for stability.The Ping-pong ball acts as a parachute. Water is mixed with pressurized air andconcealed in the bottle. The rocket is mounted on a tripod and takes to flight whenreleasing a clamp.

Syringe Bot

A mechanical arm with 3 way movement ( up/down, left/right, open/close). Each movement is powered by air or water displacement between to connected syringes.When pushing or pulling the plunger of one syringe, the connected syringe plungermoves in opposition and is attached to a particular joint in the mechanical armthus creating motion.

CAD ProEngineer

ProEngineer is CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. It is used to designproducts, machines, buildings, landscapes or basically anything imaginable.Drawings are saved to a file and can be referenced for editing, e-mailing or printing.

Solar Car

Body and chassis are constructed from balsa wood sheet. Electrical circuit consists of D.C. motor, switch and solar panel. Various propulsion methods are used such as gears, pulley/rubber band and propeller. Motoris activated when solar panel absorbs enough sunlight.

Robot Arms

An electromechanical arm with 5 way motion. Each arm is controlled by 2 joysticks, one performs 3 motions, the other 2. Students compete in teams of 2 to determine which one can be the first to drop Ping-pong balls down the plastic pipesin this math learning game.

Lego NXT Robots

A modular building set for constructing robotic vehicles. What makes these Lego’s unique from other Lego mechanical sets is the NXT module. The NXT module sendsmotion instructions to as many as 3 motors connected to the robot. The NXT modulealso has it’s own software for programming motion instructions which aredownloaded to the module.

Lego Pneumatics

A modular building set containing many more moveable parts than traditionalLego’s. Air pressure is used to power cranes, sliding doors, reclining chairs, etc.The pressure is produced from retracting pistons powered by battery and storedin a canister.

Technology Class

Intended to introduce 8th graders to what technology is; through readings, videos,discussions, experiments and most of all hands-on projects. It develops a student’sproblem solving skills and teaches them to brainstorm with others. A history ofinventions where technology’s negative as well as positive effects on society arepresented.

West New York Middle School

Located in West New York, New Jersey. Over 900 7th & 8th graders are enrolled.

Here are some helpful links to teach you more about these projects.

http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/BottleRocket/about.htm -

http://www.nxtcentral.com/page/2/

http://www.nmsea.org/Curriculum/Toy_Solar_Cars/Solar_Toy_Cars.htm

Water Rocket

Lego NXT Robot

Solar Car

http://wwwrobot.gmc.ulaval.ca/interne/documentation/proeng/

CAD ProEngineer