Experiment, Fail, Learn, Repeat

 

Fourth-grade students in The Hive have been learning about how the internal and external structures of plants and animals function to support their survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. We took the topic a step further and asked students to explore its meaning and relevancy as it pertains to humans and the world around them.

Learning about the basic structures, functions, and adaptations of the human body (like opposable thumbs, skin, and the heart for example) was the perfect introduction to this topic. Students learned about the functions of these structures and how they support our growth and survival. Ask them about their experience with our heart rate lab, complete with stethoscopes!

Students also participated in a honeybee exploratory lab to learn more about the structures of honeybees and how they function to support survival, growth, and reproduction. There was so much to see and understand about the external structures of these important organisms. This activity lent itself perfectly to building a basic foundation of knowledge about the importance of bees in our ecosystem and how the pollination process is an essential part of plant reproduction.

The relevancy of this topic was apparent during our next exploration - a deep dive into biomimicry (using the structure, systems, and elements that exist in nature, for the purpose of solving complex human problems). Students took some time investigating the construction of basic garden bird nests. They studied the characteristics and use of these types of nests and the various materials birds use to build them. Ultimately, students determined that they were sturdy but flexible, camouflaged to hide from predators, bowl-shaped to hold the eggs and babies safely in the nest, and shock-absorbing - after all, those eggs need a soft place to land. So, what can we learn from bird nests? Probably more than you thought! We offered students an opportunity to practice the design engineering-build process by presenting them with a real-world problem that our friends at 'Space X and NASA' needed help solving. Enter "Hive-X". 

Students learned about the Orion space capsule mission and the need for space engineers to design a landing pad that future shuttle explorations could land on upon their return (rather than landing in the ocean). They also learned that though Space X has tested several landing pad prototypes over the last year, the design is still evolving and improvements are necessary. Our Hive-X space engineers put their knowledge and understanding of biomimicry to the test as they used the design of bird nests as the inspiration for their plans and prototypes. Design-build teams utilized a variety of materials, constraints, and the engineering design-build process to construct their landing pads. Their small-scale, fully functional prototypes were put to the test during a Hive-X Shuttle Landing Test Experiment (the shuttle being an egg). Some landings were met with success, while others were met with opportunities to improve. The experience reminded us that failure always offers us an opportunity to grow and when we take advantage of those moments and look at a problem differently, are patient with ourselves, and lean into the challenge, we can do anything.

This week's guest bloggers reflect on our biomimicry engineering design-build challenge experience. Enjoy.

If I had more time to work on my landing pad, I would have worked on the structural part. For example, there were a lot of cotton balls, but I should have added other materials, like yarn or fabric and so on. This would have improved my prototype.     - @Solo1234

I used my knowledge of bird nests in two ways when designing my landing pad. One way was that I put edges around it. Bird nests have a bowl-shape so that their eggs don't fall out so I wanted my landing pad to have the same. Another thing that I did was make it very soft. I used cotton, string, fabric and other soft materials to make it cushioned.      - @Shrek_Dog 

Biomimicry is important because it helps us as humans. We get inspiration from nature to help solve problems. Without biomimicry, airplanes might not exist. Biomimicry is truly important.     - @NuggetDiddy

I used my knowledge of bird nest construction to build my landing pad. I built up layers of repeated soft materials and my partner built a box so the capsule wouldn't fall off the landing platform. Elon Musk: take notes.       - @GuyAlphaChad

I used my knowledge of bird nest construction to create my landing pad by using cotton and lots of cushioning materials. When we learned about bird nest construction, we learned that birds often use fuzzy materials to build a nest so the eggs don't crack, so the cotton resembled fuzz to me. I added a ton of it and the capsule survived!       - @BabyGronkForReal

If I had more time, I would have changed a few things about my landing pad design. First, my landing pad was too small and the capsule bounced out of the pad. It also should have had sides so that the capsule wouldn't bounce out. I also would have put more cushiony fabric under it because ours was a little too hard. A little more cushion would have done the trick.      - @ILoveCheer123

Biomimicry is important because nature has already figured out how to live efficiently. We humans are just trying to catch up to nature. For example, some reptile animals can stick to pretty much anything because some of them have sticky pads on their feet. Humans created suction cups to mimic their sticky feet.     - @Pookie2.0

If I had more time to design my landing pad, I would have added walls. Also, I would have added more cotton and packing peanuts to make it softer. I would also have added layers so that the capsule didn't break through the walls.     - @SigmaAlphaRizzler

Biomimicry is important because when there is a human problem that needs solving, we can sometimes use biomimicry to help solve it. For example, tongs were inspired by a bird's ability to pick up many things at once.     - @Preppy_Shrek3572

I used my knowledge of how bird nests are constructed when making my landing pad. I not only made my platform padded, but I also made walls. Bird nests are rounded and have sides so the eggs don't fall out, so I added walls to my landing pad so that the capsule wouldn't fall out.    -@Ritz159

Biomimicry is important because if we didn't use it, we wouldn't have simple things like tongs (which were inspired by bird beaks) or flashlights that were inspired by fireflies. We wouldn't have a lot of things!     - @Dip-n-Dots

Biomimicry is important because it helps us design things to fix problems. For example, lights were probably inspired by the sun or fire. Without lights, it would be super dark at night. If we didn't have biomimicry, we wouldn't have lots of the inventions we have.     - @MustardMan1 

We're Banking On It!

 

By now, you've probably heard the buzz about our classroom economy. It's certainly been one of the most highlighted learning experiences since the start of the new school year. 

In a nutshell, our classroom economy provides an opportunity for students to learn the principles of economics and valuable financial life skills in an experiential way, while promoting positive learning behaviors and skills. It teaches financial literacy and discipline and the rewards that go with it. Here are just some ways our students are benefitting from this experience:

• Taking part in a simulation of real-world economic activity

• Learning the responsibility that comes with completing a job and the value of earning a paycheck 

• Learning how to budget their spending and make scheduled payments (i.e. weekly rent and utilities) as well as unexpected expenses (i.e. fines)

• Understanding the importance of saving money to reach their goals

• Discovering that every decision has an opportunity cost

• Learning that the cost of goods and services fluctuates based on supply and demand and the rate of inflation

• Preparing to be responsible citizens in our nation’s economic system, not to mention the importance of developing a strong work ethic

This week's guest bloggers reflect on the first five weeks of engagement in our classroom economy. Enjoy.

One of the benefits of having a classroom economy is that it's teaching us about how the the economy actually works in real life. For example, when prices go up in the real world, prices go up for us, too. Second, we have to pay rent and utilities just like people do in the real world, so we learn that it is important to make money to pay your bills. The economy teaches us that it is important to save money, too.   - @Shrek_Dog

I am learning that you should not spend all your money right away because if you do, then you might not have enough money to pay rent and utilities. If you can't pay, then you will have to borrow from the bank and pay the bank double the amount you borrowed. Therefore, you should never spend a lot of money at once.   - @BombasticSigma

I am learning that we have bills that we have to pay, but we also get money for doing our daily jobs, which helps a lot. I am also learning that I should save my money and not buy "stuff" at the store. At the moment, I am saving my money and when I have a lot of money, I might buy something at the store. Another thing I am learning is that being responsible for the payment center is a very busy job. There is a lot going on and you have to pay attention to who is paying and if they are paying the correct amount, but it is super fun to do! The classroom economy is very creative and teaches us responsibility as well.   - @ILoveCheer123

One of the benefits of having a classroom economy is that it teaches us how to handle money. For example, if you spend all your money on the first thing you see, you won't have any later for things you actually like or need. You want to save your money, so if you see something you really, really want, you will be able to get it. Another benefit is that it makes us better mathematicians because if, for example, I had three 10-dollar bills, six 5-dollar bills, and seven 1-dollar bills, I need to do the math in my head to add up how much money I have. All that thinking helps me improve my mental math skills.     - @Preppy_Shrek3572

Did you know that a classroom economy can help you be a better mathematician? If you didn't know that 10-2=8 or 15-8=7 (or other basic math facts), then you wouldn't be able to count your money to pay your bills or buy anything. Our classroom economy can also help with subtraction. For example, if we have to pay a fine, we need to know how to do mental subtraction.     - @Angel232

The classroom economy is helping me learn how to exchange lots of smaller dollar bills for fewer larger dollar bills. It's also teaching us to follow through on expectations.    - @SnoopDog

I have learned a lot about an economy. I really like money and our classroom economy is so realistic. We have jobs that change each week and get paid when we do our jobs. We also have to pay bills.   - @DeadPool

One thing I've learned with our classroom economy is not to spend much, if any, money. Instead, you can deposit it into the bank and make more money. Also, if you get fined too much, you'll be in debt and have to pay back double the amount you owe. Trust me, I've learned the hard way.    - @PeanutGuy125

Some of the benefits of having a classroom economy is that all of the kids are learning about money and when to use it. When we first started having an economy, I got my first pay day and I spent all of it on a water bottle sticker, but now I've learned to save my money in case I need it for something. Another benefit is that it is teaching us to be responsible.    - @DipLover100