Jul 08 2008 10:40 am
8th grade LA students created videos that demonstrate their understanding of satire - which they’ve been studying with Kasha. The results are excellent:
Online Video:
Projects
May 14 2008 09:20 am
This Saturday (May 17th from 11-1) the City of Seattle is having a free open house for its new Emergency Operations Center located at 4th and Washington. This is a great opportunity to see all of the technology our City uses in emergencies to help keep people informed, safe and healthy.
I got to go on a super sneak preview on Tuesday night as part of the Citizens’ Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board. Here is a photo panorama taken with my cell phone of the EOC main floor.
They have biometric identification scanners that control security!
They have lots of flat screen televisions!
They have lots of cameras and a sophisticated monitoring system!
They actually let me control the entire facility!
May 12 2008 11:19 am
During this year’s design week, one group studied the theme of “cycles” by looking at product cycles. As a part of their exploration, this group examined consumer cycles and the need for the newest, fanciest new products. This often has a big effect on our environment, especially when it comes to electronic devices like cell phones, computer, printers and anything made of computer chips and plastic.
8th grade student Michael created a short video game that illustrates this problem.
Special thanks to artist Chris Jordan for permission to use his incredible photo of discarded cell phones.
For more information, check out the EPA’s “cell phone life cycle poster.”
Apr 24 2008 03:51 pm
While Cassie was in Turkey, the 8th grade Spanish students undertook a huge project. Students wrote song lyrics in Spanish, recorded music and vocals, wrote an interview with their ficticious bands in Spanish, and then video taped the entire thing. The results are absolutely amazing, and viewable on this password-protected page. Enjoy!
Apr 21 2008 09:17 am
Spring is the time that we engage in long-term independent projects. The 7th grade will be using Inspiration, Word, PowerPoint and other programs to brainstorm and create projects that reflect tech learning and personal interest.
http://billingsmiddleschool.net/beta/7th-grade-independent-projects-spring-08/.
Mar 31 2008 03:00 pm
It’s design week! Students kicked things off by designing clocks that represent the lens that they will be studying “cycles” through.
In the afternoon we were lucky enough to have a visit and presentation by artist Ross Palmer Beecher, who shared some of her recycled artwork and talked about how Americana and politics play a part in her creativity.
Mar 18 2008 11:57 am
8th grade student Chris has been testing out the animation features of Google SketchUp Pro. Here is a sample movie of one of his latest models:
Flash Video:
Mar 12 2008 04:13 pm
8th grade student Sinclair just released his first video game, created using Scratch.
Players can choose to play the game in easy, medium or hard mode. Every game gets more difficult as the score increases. Backgrounds change colors, there are sounds when you intersect the goals or obstacles and the baddies move faster the longer you play. Try your hand at, “GAME”:
Mar 09 2008 03:34 pm
The 7th grade got a great opportunity when Lyle, from the Northwest Biodiesel forum, came by to visit. He brought some oil and we made biodiesel!
Mar 06 2008 01:27 pm
by Bill
*this project was entirely envisioned and executed by our 7th grade student with no teacher assistance or input!
To get your own powerful and quiet fan made out of computer fans just get:
1. Old/broken computer(s) 2 fans per computer
2. Some wires with clamp on end x3
3. Wire cutter/strippers
4. Battery and switch (can be found in computer next to harder to get fan)
To assemble cut wires near the end of the where they connect to the computer then strip at end
Put and red wires together and all black together
The wires with the clamp connect to black wires then to the negative end of battery
The other 2 wires connect the red wires to the switch and connect switch to the positive end of battery
Flip switch if wired correctly fans should turn on
