Bridge Construction Challenge Combines Science, Geometry and Creativity

Our end-of-year ZomeTool challenges have become one of the most anticipated "traditions" and this year I wanted to push the students to integrate some specific engineering principles into their always creative designs. Their challenge was to design and create a bridge that got vehicles across a river and kept them "7 inches" above the water surface.

In addition, the bridges were tested for stability (a.k.a. "earthquake tested"), strength and beauty.

Before constructing, we explored the reason why triangles are the strongest shape to use in a structure and got some tips from an engineer on a how a baseball player's wide batting stance is an excellent model for earthquake-proofing bridges.

Although 4th and 5th graders completed the challenge as well, I've decided to share the 3rd grade projects here. We have some future architects!

The Beale Cipher: Final and Ultimate QUEST Code of the Year!

Our 4th and 5th graders have been conducting a whole-class research project on one of the most intriguing real-life buried treasure stories in history. If you except this final code-cracking challenge of the year, you'll have some work to do. First you'll need to learn the background story (but the videos below will make it fun and easy) and you'll probably get sent off in a few different directions before you even get to the actual code challenge.

Are you up for it? Bring all the thinking skills we've been developing in QUEST all year (critical, logical, creative and so on) and plenty of patience and persistence, too. Those who stick with this challenge and crack it will receive a special certificate of merit.

OK, then, let's start by building some background...

What is the story of the Beale Cipher?
This basic Wikipedia entry lays out the story.

Wait, the Declaration of Independence is part of this mystery?
Yep, and here is what you need to know about that. Just be patient--at the end of this clip they make the connection to the Beale Cipher:

OK, now they are talking about Edgar Allen Poe, the guy who wrote those really scary stories?
Exactly. Here is a clip that explains the Poe connection.

Oh, and to save you some time, here is a link to The Gold Bug.

So no one has cracked this yet?
Actually, there are a few treasure hunters who claim they've found the location of Beale's treasure. Use your critical thinking and decide if you think they are on to something.

In Philadelphia?

In New Orleans?

And now for your code challenge!
Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to decipher letters 1 and 3 and bring me a piece of the treasure (although if you do find it a little token of thanks for telling you about it would be appreciated). Instead, I'd like you to watch the film below ABOUT the Beale Cipher and crack a code in it. It is said the film makers included 16 different codes/ciphers in this short movie, but there is one in particular I'd like you to crack. Throughout the movie you will notice several numbers appear with circles around them. These seem to be connected to a specific book or story, and are most likely the key to unlocking something important about the mystery within this movie. It will be hard work, but hard work brings the best rewards.

PARENT NOTE: The film does contain some MINOR language. It is nothing I wouldn't allow my own elementary age children to watch in context, but contact me if you have any doubts!

Your mission is to pay close attention to the circled numbers, figure out which book or text they are connected to, and crack the code!

More than IQ: A Perspective on Success

I recently came across an article that suggests IQ--the traditional measure of logical, linear intelligence--is a poor predictor of life success. Instead, it reinforces the idea that other measures of intelligence, such as EQ (Emotional Intelligence), MQ (Moral Intelligenc) and BQ (Bodily Intelligence) are more important attributes in determining future success. I would add SQ (Spiritual Intelligence) to that list, but that's a topic for another time!

The article also provides suggestions for developing each of these "alternative" intelligences.

Here's a link to the article:

Intelligence is Overrated: What You Really Need to Succeed

Focus on Innovation and Caine's Arcade

I came across the following two items completely independently but they compliment each other so well and are so useful that I couldn't help but share them together here under the common theme of "Innovation."

The first item is an article/interview with author Tony Wagner on his new book Creating Innovators. The article does a nice job of distilling the major points and recommendations from the book. They include food for thought for me as a teacher, you as a parent and all of us as a community. Here's a link to the article: http://www.thedailyriff.com/articles/creating-innovators-22-insights-from-tony-wagners-new-book-905.php

The second item is a video about a young boy who demonstrates an inspiring level of innovation and perseverance. I first heard about it as a radio story on NPR, but felt compelled to track down the video and see this young man's creation for myself. Parents and kids should find it equally inspiring. It's called "Caine's Arcade" and is a fascinating example of how an innovative mind can do A LOT without MUCH.

Tangrams: Challenging Visual Problem Solving

Our 1st and 2nd graders are wrapping up a unit on visual-spatial reasoning with a lesson on tangrams--an ancient geometrical puzzle and storytelling tool comprised of 7 pieces. The video below introduces their origin.



OK, so that's not the actual origin of trangrams, but it is an excellent introduction. In class we manipulated physical tangrams, but there are some nice websites with tangram activities too:
Matter - Online Tangram Puzzles
PBS Kids - Sagwa Tangram Games

Think a 7-piece puzzle sounds too easy? Think again!

How to Crack a Caesar Cipher!

We spent time earlier this year learning how a substitution cipher that goes all the way back to Julius Caesar has been used throughout history. We made our own cipher wheels in class and enciphered our own messages. You've even cracked a couple on this blog!
The Caesar Cipher
All Hail the Newest Code Challenge 


Well, the Caesar Cipher worked pretty well for a few hundred years, but eventually a really smart Arab mathematician figured out how to crack it using a method called "frequency analysis." The video below from KhanAcademy.com explains.

Myers-Briggs Super Hero Projects

Perhaps you've had a chance to explore the Voki which describes each dimension of the Myers-Briggs personality assessment that our 4th and 5th graders took. One way we used the data and insight about our personalities was to develop a "Super Hero" with super traits based on our personality profiles. Before we got too carried away though, we also had to analyze our profiles for possible weaknesses, and imagine those onto our alter egos as well (hey, even Superman has kryptonite!)

These are up in the room at both campuses, and you'll get to see them when they come home with most of our work toward the end of the year. One of our most popular heroes has been "Neona" from Hannah at Isbell (an "INTP"). Next time I'm in trouble, I hope she's nearby!