Do You See What I See? Summer Enrichment Course Kalakaua Middle School June, 2010 Peter Yin and Minna Chanhboury

Course Description A geometry course to develop spatial visualization for incoming KMS 7 th graders. Students construct, manipulate, and interpret three-dimensional models of geometric figures with rich hands-on problem situations Students use tools such as TI-73 graphing calculators, cubes, building plans, the FabLab ModelMaker Software and a cutting tool.

HCPS III Benchmarks: MA Students construct a two-dimensional representation from different angles of a three-dimensional object MA Students draw two- dimensional shapes with specified properties.

Vocabulary Base Plan Building Mat Isometric Dot Paper Line of Symmetry Maximal Building Minimal Building Orthogonal Views – front/back, right/left 2-D views Set of Building Plans – front, right, base outline Isometric view – 3D view (front, right)

Student Demographics Kalakaua Middle School is in restructuring. KMS qualifies as a Title I school with over 60% of students who receive free or reduced lunch. Majority of KMS students are of minority ethnicities such as Asian/Pacific Islander. 25% of KMS students are ELL students. Many students have little to no access to computers and the Internet at home.

Project-Based Learning: Make a Model of the School Students measured, designed, and constructed a scaled model of the school campus and its buildings.

Project-Based Learning: Design a New School Building Students designed a new functional building for the school campus using 4 cuboids. Buildings included a science center, dorms, and a snack shop.

Project-Based Learning: Design a Dream Home Students designed a dream home using 2 or more different shapes.

Project-Based Learning: Design an M&M Package Students designed a new packaging that would hold 15 peanut M&M’s and appeal to teenagers.

KMS Junior Architects’ Design Exhibit At the end of the three week summer course, the students proudly held an exhibit to share their design projects and software expertise.

REFLECTIONS ON THE FABLAB SOFTWARE “This FabLab Software is the best, cool, and funnest activity ever.” “I can make 3 dimensional objects easily using the FabLab Software.” “It’s fun to use, you can make lots of things, and it makes me feel like a junior architect.” “I like how we can make, print, and cut 3D shapes.” “I hope your next class can use the software.”

HOW HAS THIS CLASS IMPACTED YOUR LIFE? “I learned how to make sure the length, height, and width are right.” “It taught me more about shapes, views, and measuring.” “It made me better on the computer and at folding nets together.” “No, it hasn’t changed that much, but it did change my decision about my career.” “It is make my life to think about when I grow I want to be a computer person.” (low functioning ELL student.)

WOULD YOU TAKE THIS COURSE AGAIN? EXPLAIN. “I would because it’s fun using the software.” “Yes, this class is fun because you could make shapes and learn about them.” “Yes because it is fun working on the laptops.” “No, I wouldn’t because it’s hard to work with, but it made me understand an architect’s job.”

IN THE FUTURE, HOW COULD YOU USE THE INFORMATION YOU LEARNED FROM THIS CLASS IN YOUR LIFE? “I can create/draw 3D models of structures.” “I could draw an isometric view of a building and front and right view.” “I want to build a house of my own.” “I will help my little cousin to draw.”

Teacher Observations: Student confidence with computer skills increased dramatically. Students engaged when designing and assembling the nets. FabLab can be used to enhance geometry and measurement lessons. Much patience, trial and error needed with software and cutting tool to get it working right. Students often collaborated with each other when learning features of the program. Teacher does not need to know everything. Students often taught the class FabLab tips.

Future architects or engineers?....