Often, we have the opportunity to learn about successful projects that schools use to drive the GIC program. Most of the activities below do not run the entire year but are used to teach pieces of the curriculum. Below are quick summaries of some of these ideas. A...
TEACHER NOTES: This is a great activity for the beginning of the year for team building. This activity is done in teams of 4 and takes approximately 120-150 minutes so we suggest doing this over 2 or 3 class periods. For the templates, go to https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/paper-roller-coasters/ or https://www.paperrollercoasters.com. For the bases, take...
Washer and Candy lab Can you guess the number of each? Teacher Notes Materials Needed: Bags or cups, enough for 1 per group of students. Two objects such as nuts, bolts, washers, candy, etc or 16d and 8d nails (they need to be uniform size), etc. A scale that...
Algebra 1 in Manufacturing Processes, Entrepreneurship, and Design (AMPED) is a course that provides a different approach to Algebra 1. It is driven by showing how the algebra is used in the world. Describing the CTE side of the course is not as clear cut...
Over the past few months I have had the privilege to interact and/or observe several Geometry in Construction programs. Some programs have truly embraced the philosophy of connecting the Geometry with the Construction including providing opportunities for students to view geometry differently thru alternative instruction...
Below is an activity provided by Dave Pfortmiller. This activity could be used in either Geometry in Construction or AMPED. Thanks Dave. What is the slope of the vent stack? What is the slope of the Main sewer line drain? What is the slope of the floor? What is...
Background: Green Mountain High School is a 9 - 12 comprehensive high school with a student population of 1500. It is one of 37 high schools in the Jefferson County School District (largest district in the state) in the Denver Metro Area. Back in the 1990's Green Mountain...
Operating programs like Geometry in Construction and AMPED will keep teachers busy. Several years ago, we stumbled upon using volunteers. If you have not already, maybe it is time to enlist volunteers to work with students in the shop or on the build site. Below...
Situation: AMPED students are expanding their entrepreneur spirit into food production. They have decided to create a new cereal snack mix with a 18% protein content. Below is a listing of the possible ingredients that you can combine to create this mix. Ingredients Protein Content Cost (cents per...
It is the time of year for students to begin the registration process for next year's classes. Also, it is time for teachers to begin their campaign to tell students what unique skills can be gained by signing up for their classes. AMPED and Geometry...