Howitt’s Math Home

After the planning stage was complete, our students we all brought together to show off their final machine. Although some had great success in popping the balloon during the test runs, their final runs hit some bumps. Most importantly though, they all worked very well together in a collaborative way as learners who shared their ideas and supported those of their team. .

Last week the whole of Pudong 5th grade participated in our first Goldberg Junk Yard Wars. The task was to create a Goldberg machine that would pop a balloon. Goldberg machines are basically machines that perform a simple task in the most complicated way possible. Our students were put into mixed class groups who were given the objective and then had to collaborate to create a conceptual and physical model of their Goldberg Machine. Here is them in action during the planning stage. planning phase.

Ahh Asia…just off Christmas and now a week off for Chinese New Year, wonderful. I want to thank Angelo, Julia, Jenna, Eleen and Ghao. These students have bene very active bloggers and writers and I am very impressed with their self motivation and effort. Great job you guys.