May 17-21: Machine Design & CSI

Unfortunately, the most important part of this week is kind of taking a place on the back burner - we're building complex machines. Students will be planning this week, building next week, and then testing their machines on the last full day of school. The machine needs to have at least 3 simple machines (I have pulleys - they need to bring everything else they might use as levers, inclined planes, wheels, etc.). The machine must move 20 marbles from one container to another over a distance of at least 12 inches. These need to be built in class - so they will be made of very simple materials - nothing should be bought from the store.

Dun Dun Dun.... we are hosting a murder in the G100 pod! We're doing a unit on CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). All the 8th graders in the building are "on the case." Students will be looking at evidence, analyzing interviews, "the crime scene", and doing some simple laboratory tests to help determine "who dunnit." This year, our victim was Leslie Allen (a 7th grade science teacher who has gone to a different district), and our main suspects are (Principal Shaw, Mindy - the hall monitor, Mrs. Dowdle (science), Ms. Davis (English), and Mrs. Thackeray (foreign languages). Our story centers around a baby shower for Mrs. Nelson (history/geography) gone wrong. We hope the kids enjoy being detectives this week (while we're trying to make it as "real" as possible, please remember this is just for fun, and Mrs. Allen is just fine:))