November/December 2022

We started PLTW classes with our second session of fifth graders and with our third graders. Third graders learn about forces and simple machines centered around a real world problem of a tiger falling into a moat at the zoo. They have to use the knowledge they acquire about gravity, pushes, pulls, magnets, and compound machines to help them build a device that will rescue the tiger. Fifth graders work to build a robot with electronic sensors, and they design and build additions to it. Although they follow a schematic to help them build the main chassis, they then make adjustments and additions to move cubes in several challenges in an effective and efficient manner. Below are some pictures of some of our work from both 3rd and 5th grade during the last couple of months. 

Photos from Third Grade

Tiger sketch in engineering notebook

Testing their tiger rescue design to see if it works

Using 3D software to build a simple machine

Building a pulley

Building a lever

Always collaborating in PLTW!

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Everyone has a role to play: parts, builder, quality control

Using SIOP strategies to share our ideas about science concepts--we write and we talk to a partner!

Evaluate: does our design work?

Fifth Grade Photos

Investigating with the testbed: how do the electronic sensors work and what do they do?

Building the robot

Checking the color sensor 

Building the robot 

Using 3d software to build the testbed

Communicating is key when trying to build!

Making adjustments to the robot so it can successfully move a block.

Robot competition-always a fun time!

So many pieces!