Introduction to Technology

2010-2011 Update

2011-04-13T15:22:00.000-04:00

2010 started very quickly for us here at Rome Middle School. Over the summer, several updates were made in our Technology Lab classroom. First a recording studio was created. Students begin to experiment with video recording software and hardware as 7th and 8th grade students here at Rome Middle School. So over the summer, I took the liberty of creating a recording studio for our video broadcasts to be taped within. So far this studio has been a tremendous asset to our students.

Also, we added several laptop computers in the lab portion of the classroom. Students have used our computers to work with CAD based programs in designing floor plans; this project has become a focal point of our classroom instruction on construction and tool safety, with a major emphasis on engineering. Students have also used our new computers to access a great bridge building program provided by West Point, called West Point Bridge Builder. This program allows students to chose from many different options as their ultimate goal is to cost effectively create a stable bridge that supports the weight of a truck carrying a full load cargo.

With the improvements that were made over the summer and as students began to arrive, we are certain that the Technology Lab is in line with our school's unofficial motto of continuously "Getting Better!" Students have grown in their understanding of green energy as projects related to solar power and hydro-electric power have been introduced into our curriculum. Over all this has been a great year, and we have the remainder of this nine-weeks to continue getting better!

Technology Update

2010-02-02T11:51:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon All,

I hope you all are doing well. I wanted to provide a brief update about what we are learning in Introduction to Technology.

This week we began discussing transportation and the technology that has revolutionized transportation around the globe. We have discussed alternative energy sources including: bio-fuel, solar energy, hydro-electric power, and wind energy. 7th grade students are preparing to begin and complete their bridge construction project. While, 8th grade students are preparing for their innovative twist to a popular T.V. show. They will pick a method of transportation and technologically spice it up a bit.

I will provide pictures and more updates later.

Signing off for now,

Coach Muse

8th Grade Project - Transportation Technology

2010-01-15T16:01:00.000-05:00

Pictures can be found at: http://gs162.photobucket.com/groups/t261/MWPBWNQI59/

Click slide show and you may view all of the photo's posted.

Update Extravaganza

2010-01-15T15:35:00.001-05:00

Good Afternoon All,
The spring semester is in full swing! For Connections teachers such as myself, the third nine-weeks is now under way. New students always bring a new opportunity to improve upon the lesson plans, activities, and instruction that I gave in the previous nine-weeks. Having made several adjustments from the first nine-weeks, 8th grade students participated in a new project, centered in transportation technology. I will post pictures with a web link following this post.
To begin this third nine-weeks students are now learning about inventions around the world. Understanding the impact of global inventions, innovations, and engineering based achievements students will be more prepared to study transportation technology, communication technology, as well as information technology. Understanding our place in the Global Market is critical for these students as they are currently seeing a paradigm shift as global communication, trading, and travel is more present than ever before!
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our educational path for this nine-weeks please contact me at jmuse@rcs.rome.ga.us.
Sincerely,

Coach Muse

First test followed by Transportation...

2009-11-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

We just finished our first unit. In Introduction to Technology our first two weeks are spent solidifying our understanding of our Georgia Performance Standards that include: MSENGR-II-1 Learn the core concept of invention and innovation, MSENGR-II-2 Examine the core concepts of engineering and technology, and MSENGR-II-4 Examining the impacts of inventions and innovations on society and culture. We did that in the completion of our "Technology Around the World" project.
Now we move into Transportation Technology! The kids are excited, and I believe this will be a very valuable Unit for them as we move towards a better understanding of engineering and technology.
Stay tuned!

New STUDENTS...

2009-10-20T15:52:00.000-04:00

As of Tuesday, October 13, 2009 I have had new students in my classroom. As always, the first two to three days were spent going over expectations, procedures, and classroom rules. The students all seem to have a good solid foundation, and I am very excited about the students I have this nine-weeks!

Since acclimating the students to my classroom we have began working on our "Technology Around the Globe" project. The students are doing very well with this assignment so far, I am looking forward to seeing the finished product after all of their hard work is compiled into a very unique poster!

Parents - Feel free to contact me at jmuse@rcs.rome.ga.us with any questions or concerns that you may have beginning this new nine-week course. Feel free to scroll down and get a glimpse into the future as to what your student will be doing in my class in the upcoming weeks.

Nine-weeks Completed

2009-10-12T15:50:00.000-04:00

We have completed our first nine weeks of school. One fourth of our school calendar has been completed.

Today we finished our toothpick bridge project. Students tested their projects by applying weight to a hanging device from the deck of the bridge. The competition was fierce and the students were excited to see their projects tested.

This was my last day with the students from the first nine weeks. Tomorrow all Connections teachers will receive our new roles and new students. I look forward to our continued improvements to the Introduction to Technology curriculum at Rome Middle School.

Bridge Construction

2009-09-23T15:58:00.000-04:00

Good Afternoon,

Students have been focused and working hard for the past three days. We have been discussing the following terms: Girder bridges, Suspension bridges, Arch bridges, Truss bridges, Cable stayed bridges, and Moveable bridges.

Students also have been learning the different materials that are used in the construction of a wide variety of bridges. Substances such as wood, stone, cement, metal, screws, bolts, cables, etc. were all discussed labeled and defined.

Due to ITBS testing 1st and 2nd period students have not been to Technology this week. They will resume their normal schedule next week and there will be a lot to cover in our last week before the 9 weeks is up!

I hope everyone is well!

Egg Launch Completed

2009-09-18T10:55:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the delay in posting information and pictures for the 8th graders. The Egg Launch project has been completed. Students put forth a lot of effort and you can view pictures and videos from the entire process at the following link:

http://s736.photobucket.com/albums/xx1/romemiddleschool/Egg%20Launch/?start=20

Enjoy!

Egg Drop Project Completed

2009-09-15T14:42:00.000-04:00

Students finished their projects up today and turned in the following: blue prints, materials list, hypothesis statements, as well as their one page project summary.

All students tested their projects (with mixed results) on Monday, September 14, 2009.

See the videos and pictures below for the project results.

Scroll down to see pictures and video's from our Egg-Drop projects:
http://s736.photobucket.com/albums/xx1/romemiddleschool/Egg%20Drop/

Project Update

2009-09-08T15:49:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to provide a quick update in regards to our "Egg" projects:

7th grade students are progressing well through the construction phases and will definitely be ready for our Egg-Drop on Friday.

8th graders were given a more difficult assignment; however, they are working hard to ensure they are ready for Egg-Launch Friday.

So far I have been very pleased with the student’s effort. I will do my best to post video and pictures from this latest project once we have completed it on Friday. Stay tuned.

Egg Drop/Launch Project

2009-09-01T15:48:00.000-04:00

Today has been another wonderful day at Rome Middle School! In class today we discussed terms related to our next project. Some of the terms we discussed and defined in class were: terminal velocity, trajectory, velocity, speed, motion, Newton's laws of motion, inertia, and drag.

Students have been briefed on what will be expected of them in the next project. We will begin working in the planning stages of this project tomorrow.

7th Grade - Egg Drop Project

8th Grade - Egg Launch Project

2009-08-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

http://s736.photobucket.com/albums/xx1/romemiddleschool/

More pictures from our projects including the championship 7th grade project/team can be found at the link above!

2009-08-31T11:31:00.000-04:00

Students were asked to demonstrate "division of labor" and were assigned jobs to perform in order to complete this project. Students were then asked to work together combining their resources to complete this project.

Project Completion

2009-08-28T16:41:00.000-04:00

Today we finished the Newspaper Construction Project. Students were excited to test their projects. Our fiercest compeition was between the three 7th grade classes. They were asked to construct a table out of newspaper and duct tape (with limitations) that would hold at least 5 textbooks. All three classes far exceeded that mark with my 7th period class winning the competition by holding 27 textbooks!

RMS Updates

2009-08-26T18:49:00.000-04:00

Welcome everyone! I hope you found the blog easily and I hope you find it informative for you as a visitor. I will update this blog weekly if possible to make sure current updates are always on this site. The first four weeks have been AWESOME! The students have accomplished a lot within this first month.

So far students have completed one project titled Technology Around the Globe. Now the classes are racing against one another in a grade level competition to construct the sturdiest table (7th grade) or stool/chair (8th grade) only using newspaper and duct-tape. Students are finding that this unthinkable feat is achievable and the projects are coming together nicely.

I will post pictures and videos soon from the first few weeks of school!