“We have to build it and build it, then we have to figure out how to make it stay on the track.” Sam
The interest to build and expand on the idea of motion, has really grasped the children’s enthusiasm. By supporting and following the interest with the children, we have observed more determination, focus, concentration, and an increased flow of the expression of ideas as the children negotiate modifications to expand their structures.
Paola and Flora met with Eric (Felix’s dad EW) to generate ideas on how we can collaborate to support the children’s learning. Eric is a mechanical engineer and an expert at understanding how things work. We have reached out to him to help us learn the proper terminology in relation to what the children are investigating.
The children are experimenting with the Laws of Motion (Newton) and in particular with –
Lift: to move upward or rise (Sarah flying a kite)
Support/Suspension: To bear or hold up. (Tyler and Xavier)
Gravitational Pull: attraction caused by gravity (Sam, Easton, Miles, Aliya work with gravity to make the ball roll down)
Thrust: an action inducing motion (Maddox, Tyler and Chase engage thrust to fly their planes.)
and, click here to see, IMPULSE: the force of a collision. (Kai and Sergio strategize for an impresive impulse.)
impulse: the force of a collision
We are setting up a meeting on Monday, October 10th, to meet again with Eric as well as with Kyle’s dad, Geoff, and his mom, Patricia (WW) who are engineers, too. It’s exciting to learn more about Newton’s Laws of physics as we continue to explore alongside the children. If you are an engineer and want to join us, let us know by contacting Paola (paola@newschoolwest.com). We are eager to set up a space for investigating these concepts in the East Wing classroom.