5th Graders Engineer Wind-Powered Cars

Sketches of the first prototype

 In this unique challenge, students try to harness the wind from a fan to power their cars down a runway.  The goal is 15 feet, or 180 inches.  Students can use straws, paper and tape for their construction.  Students collect data on their trial runs and make improvements for the next trial.  Aerodynamics, symmetry along with a sturdy design are the key elements to this challenge. 

JH Challenge Day

These young minds were tasked an engineering challenge.  They all reached the goal of 36 inches, which was shocking.  It is amazing to see their minds work...and how quickly they can work on a task.  Keep it up kids!

Fall Noetic Math Winners

 

The Noetic Math Challenge is a challenge the top students from West Elementary take part in two times a year.  This challenge is open for students all across the country.  This year over 31,000 of the top math students from over 600 schools and 42 states took part in this challenge.  Student have 45 minutes to complete twenty problems at and above their grade level.  West Elementary had 26 students place in the top 50% of all students!!!  Clayton was also given the prestigious award of "National Honor Roll" placing him in the top 10% of all students in the country.  Clayton, Lincoln and Kendall were the West Elementary Class Champions for 4th/5th/6th grades.  Congrats to all the students that accepted this challenge and worked their hardest!

4th Graders "Take-Off" on the Train 3D Print

 Students in the 4th grade were tasked to create a train car using Tinkercad as their 3D modeling tool.  This online program is free for anyone wanting to learn 3D modeling, CAD in the real world.  Their imaginations and research led them to creating some interesting cars, all made under the same specifications to fit together.

Well done students!

www.tinkercad.com

Engineers at Work

 Students have been creating projects using different engineering skills lately.  Pulleys, levers and fulcrum points have all been used to demonstrate these basic engineering concepts.  Students were able to complete tasks individually and in partnerships.

Coding with Robots

A popular unit of coding has been underway for quite some time now.  Fifth grade students have been using kits and block coding to create some spectacular robots and machines.  Each team of students had to design similar projects to get started, but once that was complete the creativity took over.  Students designed many different machines, all controlled by their code using their ChromeBooks.

 

Take a look at this problem

 

Math Problem Solvers

Over 40 students at West Elementary have been studying different techniques to solve math and real live problems.  They have been doing a fantastic job of sharing strategies and conquering problems!