Ms. Pinta's Physical Science Parent Portal

This blog will serve as a way to share and communicate what my students are learning in physical science. I hope that what you find here is useful, interesting, and informative. I will post weekly updates of classroom activities, projects, and related articles. Please feel free to join in the conversation concerning weekly topics. I will share your comments and feedback with the students. I think that they will be excited to hear what their parents have to say about the topics that we will cover!

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Build a Tower, Build a Team

Marshmallow Tower
Welcome to Physical Science!  I hope this year will be a challenging and rewarding year for your student.  I am excited to get started and to give you a preview of what challenges are store for your child, please take a moment to watch Tom Wujec's TED Talk about our first challenge.  We will be completing the "Marshmallow Challenge" (sshhh, it's a surprise!) along with other design challenges aimed at nurturing creativity, innovation, teamwork, or an entrepreneurial mindset.  These design challenges provide great opportunities for experiential learning and can provide the motivation and encouragement for students to break through hidden assumptions and traditional thought patterns.  I firmly believe that each student possesses a wealth of creativity and imagination and it is my goal to capitalize on their strengths in relation to these design challenges.  They will be asked to "think outside the box" and to collaborate in a mulitdisciplinary approach to tackle these challenges.  Of course, learning will be greatly improved by helping students to reflect on their experiences. . .so get ready to ask your sons and daughters lots of questions after the challenges have been completed.  By subscribing to this blog you will receive updates about our challenges and, perhaps, get involved in one yourself!

2 comments: