Launching Spinning tops with 3/2S and 3C

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

3/2S and 3c programmed and built launchers to move their spinning tops. The students investigated the effects of changing the size of the driver and follower gears and accurately recorded their results in a table. The time that the top spun for was measured with a stop watch and the pupils also wrote a program with the WeDo software to measure time. The children were then challenged to carry out the necessary design modifications and programming challenges to create the ultimate top and launcher pair that were able to keep the top in motion for as long as possible. The photos below show the winning device. The winning team introduced two large driver gears into the gear chain and two very small gears as followers. This was set up using compound gearing. The students then made the launcher into a crocodile. Wow I was very very impressed!!!!!

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

A Giant Problem

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

The ‘We Do Lego Program’ is used at GEPS by Years 3 and 4 and I have been thrilled the way students have embraced, loved and learnt so much from it.

This Year’s 5 and 6 have not used it as they are using the more advanced NXT system. I wanted them to have just a little taste of the’ We Do’ so I set them an advanced challenge and saw what they came up with.

Have a look for yourself.

The giant is sleeping on the ground

Person walks by the motion sensor and wakes up the robot

The giant who was snoring and sleeping – now rises up and roars. He is pulled up by a crane and operates like a puppet.

Students program the robot to go back to sleep.

When years 3 and 4 carried out a more simplified version of this activity they wrote a script for the giant and the offending Lego person. This script included the way they escaped from the giant. Some very innovative and fun scripts were created!!!!!

Here are some more pictures for you of our older children in action.

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

Designing arms

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

Years 3 and 4 built and programmed kicking legs, a goal keeper and thier own cheering fans – but what good is a sporting team without any arms. The children designed and programmed their own designs.

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

Years 3 and 4 Keep the ‘Keeper’

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

3A, 3C and 4A built a goal keeper and programmed him to stop those talented legs from scoring goals.

Look at the cute little keeper.

This is the programming.

There are three programs running concurrently:

1.controls the keeper

2.creates an automatic scoreboard

3. makes a cheering sound when a goal is scored.

Below is a video of the cute little keeper in action

Video of goal keeper for Windows

Video of goal keeper demonstration for MAC

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

3C get a ‘Kick’ out of their class

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

Today 3c designed, programmed and played a game with their kicking legs.

Have a look at the short video below

Video of Kicking legs in action for windows

Video of kicking legs in action for MAC

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

Video of the Kicking Legs in Action

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

Have a look at the short video below of the wonderful kicking legs in action. This is what stage 2 made and programmed in class.

Watch the fun for yourself on the video below.

Video for Mac and windows

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

4A Make The Legs That Play The Game

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

4A designed some wonderful games for their ‘Legs’ to play.

Thanks for calling by

Mrs Garlick

3A Get ‘Kicking’.

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Jennifer Garlick

Dear Bloggers,

3A built and programmed thier kicking legs to kick. The next part of the challenge was to design and play a game with the legs. Fast workers made their legs into a complete person.