FE8B

Hello everyone,

In FE8B we started a new Math unit on proofs for angle degrees. It was kind of confusing to understand all the rules for the angles and how to write out the proofs, but now we have gotten the hang of it. Some rules we have learned about angles are: all opposite angles are equal, two or more angles that split a straight line (180 degrees) are called supplimentary angles, two or more angles that split up a right angle (90 degrees) are called complimentary angles, and that all three angles in a triangle equal 180 degrees. This is a very interesting unit.

In Science we also started a new unit on fluids. We have looked through the terminology for our new unit. Some of the words seem kind of confusing, but I am excited to learn about all of them.

Today we did a science experiment about the flow rates of some liquids. We put molasses, corn syrup, water, and vegetable oil through 4 different funnels and timed how long it took between the first drop of the fluid falling through the funnel to the last drop. This was really cool to see. The water took under a second to go through, the oil took 11 seconds, the corn syrup took 25 minutes, and the molasses took over 31 minutes!! I learned a lot, and thought it was fascinating to see the experiment right in front of us too, not just reading about what would happen in a text book.

Until next Wednesday,

-K

Another Blog

Hi there! Wow! I can not believe that class Fe7B has done so much work already!! In science we have already been given our summative projects! We were given the choice of constructing a tower crane, trebuchet or bridge for our projects. Since we've learned so much already about forces, stresses and most importantly failure, our class is ready to build our structures! Here is an example of work from our previous oil derrick project that might help people understand more about structures and how they work.

•From the top view of this model structure, you can see that the platforms are all aligned causing any weight being exerted on the structure to be more balanced out making the structure more stable.

•From the top view of this model structure, you can see that the platforms are all aligned causing any weight being exerted on the structure to be more balanced out making the structure more stable.

•To add more stability to the structure, straws were wrapped around the three main pillars to keep them from buckling out when under compressive forces. There were “x’s” placed through the three main pillars to keep them from buckling inwards as well when also under compressive forces. These supports steadied the pillars and kept them from moving when under loads. When unable to move, the pillars can not create stress on the platforms leading to no shearing.

As for math, we have started a new unit on Geometry and Measurement. Our last lesson was on building 3D shapes from their nets. Here's an interesting fact. Did you know that there are 11 nets that can be used for a cube? Next week I will show all 11 nets. For now, try and figure out this problem!

I'll post sooner than later!

FE8B

Hello Everyone,

This blog post will have to be short, as it was my dad's birthday today and I had a basketball game so I only got the chance to write now.

Yesterday, we tested our Rube Goldberg machine for the last time. It worked pretty well, but we had to help it out towards the end of the machine. We also only got about half way across the classroom while our goal was the whole way, but that's OK. The compound pulley system my group and I made worked very well, so I was happy with that. Overall, I think the system should have been higher up so we had more speed, energy, and area to move downwards. The lever wasn't as strong as it could have been because the pulley only could drop about a foot onto the effort arm of the lever due to our lack of space. However, all in all the machine worked better than I had thought it would and I learned a lot from the experience.

In Math we started a new unit on drawing 3D cubes and buildings made of cubes on isometric dot paper. We have also been learning how to draw front, side, and top views of 3D shapes. I think that these skills will come in handy later in our lives, especially if we become an architect, interior designer, etc. I am looking forward to the rest of our unit!

Until next Wednesday,

-K

Life in FE8B

Hello all,

So, on Monday we used the clickers for a science test. It worked pretty well, although I personally got kind of distracted once and pressed the wrong button... I think that's the only bad thing about the clickers - once you enter your number you can't take it back. So I will be sure next time to triple-check that I pressed the correct button.
We are almost finished with our Rube Goldberg machine! All the groups have finished their parts, now we just have to put it all together and test it. I am very excited to see how it plays out! By the way, our compound pulley system wasn't working last week because the rope we used was too big for the edge of the disk, and would always fall off. Also, we weren't using an actual weight, just an empty container, on our bottom wheel so it was not supported and kept falling off. However, we have gotten it to work now so I am happy.
We had our Math unit test on circles today. I found it pretty simple. Once you understand the formulas for circumference and area you are pretty well set to go. But, I may be overestimating myself as I have no idea what I got. I will have to wait and see.
Another big thing today was that we had to hand in our Research Papers in Science. The paper was on our simple machine we are building for the Rube Goldberg (mine was pulley, obviously). We had to write the basics of our machine, explain about a company in Ontario that uses it every day in their work, and then write how the company would function without it. I did mine on PCL and how they use a compound pulley in their cranes and hoists to lift materials and people up the side of the building. It was interesting to look into how simple machines are used in real life. It was a fun project.
Well that's it for now.
Until next Wednesday,

-K

Clickers, Pizza, and Pulleys...

FE8B made school history this week! We used "clickers" for the SmartBoard for the very first time. The clickers are really cool! Basically, you sign in with your student number and it knows who you are. Then, there will be a question on the SmartBoard that is either true or false or multiple choice. On your clicker you have to choose the letter you want to answer and then press enter. Right after you press enter the clicker says whether you got the answer right, and then what your percent over the whole quiz is so far. Once everyone in the class has entered their answers, you can press a button "stop" on the SmartBoard and a pie chart pops up showing the percent of students who answered each choice on the question, so everyone in the class can see how the class in general did. Then, later the teacher can go back and see specifically who answered what, and mark you. We are having a science quiz about Simple Machines using these clickers on Monday, so I am very excited to see how this will work. I personally think it will be great because we can know our mark right away after each question, so Mr. Foster doesn't need to grade our work. I will tell you about it next week.
In Math we have started a new unit about circles. We have learned about radius, diameter, circumference, and how to find each for a circle. I was having one of my kind of random thoughts a while ago, and realized that when we order a pizza and say "I want a 10 inch pizza" we are stating the diameter of the pizza. Imagine if we stated the circumference of the pizza... "I would like a pizza that measures 31.4 inches around the outside." Haha... that sounds kind of weird.
In Science we have started constructing our Rube Goldberg machine. My group and I are incharge of making the pulley. We had a good start, but today when I was away during Science apparently our pulley didn't actually work... I wish I knew what was wrong so I could explain but I can't. I hope it works out in the end. I will update you.
Until next Wednesday,
-K

Fun times blogging

Well, this week has been very fun in class FE7B. Recently in math, we have opened a new unit on perimeter and area. Last math class we reviewed the perimeter of a parallelogram and today we reviewed the perimeter of a triangle. Since my camera (and pictures) are unavailable, I created a triangle and solved it's area by using the G-R-A-S-P method.

Givens

Required

Analysis

Substitution

Proof

Science in FE7B has been just as fun! We soon will test our "oil rigs" made for Fosterco oil company very soon and see how the rankings turn out. Since we just took notes on the different types of external and internal forces, I'm sure that our reports on our structures will turn out great! Be sure to use new vocabulary and your knowledge on structures!

Thanks for reading!!