LEARNING MODULES
A Hot Beginning Leads to a Cold Ending - Sharon Athey and Mary Weyart
Students will review the properties of a star and graph the stages of star life. They will explore how to create a concept map.
DNA Research and Library - Steven Smith and Wendy Lee
This unit leads students through using library resources to complete a research assignment on DNA. They'll demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Dewey Decimal Classification and build a mode of DNA.
Earths Geometry and Plate Tectonics - Beilan Chang and John Berry
This unit is designed to introduce and develop an understanding of how the theory development process works, utilizing information about the differences in plate boundaries and how they interplay with the theory of continental drift. Using computer technology to help students visualize the change of a sphere’s surface area, circumference, and volume as the radius doubles or triples will also be explored.
Gamers Paradise - Chad S[pencer, Miranda Vaca, and Melissa Hissem
While some video games teach students the horrors of society and provide very little in terms of education, many are a wealth of knowledge that teachers and parents can use to teach valuable concepts. Video games, when viewed and analyzed for educational content can teach math, English, technology, and history. They also provide a wealth of information about myriad careers students might wish to pursue.
Rat Race - Trista Hathaway and Carolyn Jose
Students will be exposed to simple machines and geometric solids. After discussion of simple machines, students will view a VRML model of a car and discuss machines found. Students will also discuss geometric solids and properties and locate solids in the VRML model. Students will then use geometric concepts and simple machines to build a mousetrap car. Cars will then be raced and speed and acceleration will be computed and graphed. Students will report on their findings and use the graphs to make predictions on winners using trends.
Thrill Ride Amusements - Keyoung Gill and Karen Propst
Students will research employment eligibility for minors in summer jobs of interest at various theme parks and/or resorts. They will create a personal résumé for one of the positions. After completing their résumé, the students will be assigned the job of creative services technician in the Technical Services Department of Kings Island. Students will then use VRML to create a rollercoaster car for the upcoming theme park public relations videos.
Virtual Reality Perspective is Everything - Charles Parker and Robert Linde
Addressing various learning styles, this unit will approach the depiction of the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface through direct observation and questioning and translating that experience into two dimensions with lines on paper and then with VRML codes on a computer.
Wing IT - Daniel Clements
Learning the four basic focres affecting an airplane, students will demonstrate movement of a model place, contruct and control a VRML airplane model.
Eye-Spy: An Interactive Exploration of the Human Eye - Loren Adkins and Angela Nottingham
This unit invites students to take a direct inquiry into the anatomy and physiology of the human eye. The students will participate in a virtual and physical dissection of a cow/sheep eye, investigate the geometric shapes and angles associated with its anatomy and physiology, view an authentic VRML eye model, and create their own model of the human eye with given manipulatives.
From Pythagoras to Johnny Depp - Brian Cerullo and Morgan Kent
This unit is designed to motivate history on the background of Pythagoras and the Pythagorean theorem.
Cones and Volcanoes and Pompeii OH My - Kari Clark, Mark Swiger and Ruth Ann Crow
This unit addresses cone shape and volume and how they relate to volcanic volume. Additionally, how the past can help predict the future will be discussed.
If It Isn't There, It Doesn't Matter - William Dorsey
and Tonya Erby
This unit is designed to teach the basic need and use of the periodic table and its associated trends.
Translations - Jared Fitzwater and Gina Thomas
Students will create four shapes (cone, box, cylinder, and sphere) using VRML programming, allowing students to view the four shapes in 3D. Students will then do a hands-on activity creating a square structure out of index cards. After the structure is created students will support it with their choice of shape. Students will then load test their structures to see who's structure can hold the most weight. Students will learn how to use VRML to complete the transformation exploration sheet in order to understand translations and rotations. Students will complete these tasks in textpad.
Bridge Engineering - Dallas Paugh and Larry Hood
The student will explore variety of techniques in designing and building a truss bridge. The student will become familiar with the history of bridge building and types of bridges, and be able to implement a truss design using 3-D computer modeling. The Content Standards and Objectives are Technical Development, Academic Application, Problem Solving, Communication Systems, Construction Systems, and Careers.
Motion, Motion, why the Motion -Eva Ellis,Tiffany Mounts,and Connie Napier
This unit demonstrate how Newton's First Law works by completing 5 interactive activities.
Make the Game -Monique Nunley
The purpose of this unit is to give an introduction to basic VRML programming code. This is in an effort to get students excited about technology by showing a correlation between 3D graphics and the gaming industry. Students will be able to creat a basic animated 3D model of their choice and will also explain how this skill can be used for video gaming.
What Are Your Chances - Elaine Booten and Eddie Booten
The students will be introduced to the programming language of VRML and it's possibilities. They will also have a review of probability. Then they are introduced to genetics by using probability to show how traits are shared between people.
Balancing Chemical Equations - Wayne Bennett and Heidi Cunningham
Students will be introduced to three-dimensional models of various elements through VRML. The students will inquire how to build three-dimensional models of molecules. As the students are balancing one-step algebraic equations they will be introduced to balancing chemical equations.
Our Dynamic Earth - Jill Childers and Tim Tennant
In this class you will become familiar with the dynamics of plate tectonics. We will identify the type of boundaries and use computer graphics along with hands-on activities to observe the phenomenon that occurs at these locations. Students will also determine the rate of plate movement during their life time.
Computers Only Do What They Are Told - Sondra Audia and Jessica Weekly
The purpose of this activity is to help students realize the need to be precise when programming a computer. Students will write simple programs in HTML and VRML; showing their understanding that the computer only did what it was told.
Go Fly A Kite - Melissa Toothman and Courtney Shafer
The tetrahedron lesson will focus on the unique four-sided polygon used by Alexander Graham Bell to disprove scientists’ theory that to increase the surface area of a flying machine the weight would also have to be increased. Students will learn the history of the tetrahedron’s evolution along with the computation of its surface area. The true Bell’s Challenge will be for students to construct and actually fly a tetrahedron kite.
Classifying Planets - Paul Gripper and Rudy Durci
After an introduction to the universe using VRML model and an activity that reinforces classification skills, students are challenged to "mine" the internet to discover characteristics of planets that might be used to classify them. Students present their classification systems to their "scientific community" using Powerpoint.
Volume of Cones - Mary Beth Atwell
Students will discover how the volume of a cone relates to the volume of a cylinder with the same radius and height. The students will use this information to discover the formula for the volume of a cone. The students will explore the volume of cones through manipulatives to hypothesize and discover how changes in the radius and height affect its volume.
Rockets - Krystal Kolozy and Gary Bowers
This class is all about how a rocket flies! What is the best angle for the rocket to go the furthest distance? What type of shape does the rocket need to have to go faster and farther? Do the fins have any effect on the flight pattern? All these questions and more will be answered!
Motion - Debbie Conover and Debbie Robbins
What is speed? During this class, you will be viewing VRML sites to engage you in learning about what exactly speed is. Marbles, rain gutters, and protractors . . . what exactly do these have to do with velocity? In this activity you will be asked to calculate the speed of your marble as it hurtles down a length of plastic rain gutter. You will then use the computer to visually display and analyze your data. Do you think you can keep up to speed?
Models of Compounds - Ann Burns, Mary Beth Angeline, and Deborah Doshier
In this class, you will gain hands-on experience as you explore the world of chemical compounds using 3-D space. You will be taught an introduction to both VRML and chemical compounds so that you can write your own computer programs for models of basic, well-known compounds. Then you’ll face the most rigorous part of the class: fixing a scramble model of a compound using VRML translations.
Solar System - Linda Jackson and Mary Gapen
Explore space in this class as you use VRML programs to view the solar system in 3-D. There will then be an online treasure hunt where you can learn more facts our neighboring planets. Many more fun things will follow, including a Star Lab, which will help you be able to see the cool things in space; modeling the solar system; and so much more!
Platonic’s - Paula Vilone and Kevin Wright
In this class you will use be introduced to basic 3-D objects using a hands-on worksheet about VRML programming. After this introduction you will be given time to explore websites about Platonic and Archimedean solids. Towards the end you will be given the time to construct your own Platonic solid.
Math and Art - Tammi Musgrove and Bob Benner
In this class you will explore the relationship between math and art using VRML and a variety of other resources. These resources will enable you to explore some aspects of these relationships in 3-D.
Flight and Aeronautics - Leah McJilton and Ryan Stocking
In this class your powers of observation and intellect will be tested in a way that can provide exciting rewards! You will be taken on an on-line, 3-D tour of different models of airplanes, all the way from a fighter jet to a commercial airline. You will then research the theory and design of modern aircrafts. Using your findings, you will then build your own paper airplane to participate in a competition. There will be prizes!!
Robotics - Meg Hutson, Angie Dowling and Sandy Hawkins
The first component of a two-part series, this class will begin with an introduction to the world of robotics. Throughout the class you will be taught about different aspects of the technology. At the end of the class you will be given time to explore a list of websites about robotics. The next day you will write your own program of a robot using VRM using knowledge gained from instruction earlier in the week. You will have a brief review of the VRML you learned the day before, accompanied by more aspects of the language. Time allowing, you will be able to manipulate the figures in your program to create more robots.
It’s Just A Phase! - Angela Ward and Paige Moccia
This class will be team-taught by Angela Ward and Paige Moccia. The first part of this class will be based on your answer to a single question: what is the difference between meiosis and mitosis? You will be given time to research this question in class. The second part will be a the answer to the question from the viewpoint of your teachers, with some very interesting “Square Dances.”
