IDEALab News

January 27, 2017

7th Grade English - Philanthropic Unit

Project Description, Standards, Outcomes and Daily Plan

Project Flier

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Ms. Wolford collaborated with the IDEALab to create a philanthropic unit that built upon the readings of I Am Malala.  Students read the powerful book, watched clips from the movie, He Named Me Malala, and then came to the IDEALab to design a philanthropic project that supported either the global non-profit, A Million Lights or the local non-profit, A Woman's Work.  Students met with representatives from both organizations and then worked through the Design Process to empathize with their user, define and ideate about their problem and then prototype a philanthropic endeavour to support the organizations.   Students created a variety of fundraiser opportunities by partnering with local restaurants and businesses as well as the Altona community.  We are so proud of these students!  Way to embody the Altona Way!

7th Grade Math - Proportions & Scaling

Image by Tina Fredo

Project Description, Standards, Outcomes and Daily Plan

Project Flier

Photo SlideShow

Ms. Goertz's 7th grade math class collaborated with the IDEALab staff to design a unit that would allow students analyze proportional relationships and use the relationship to solve real world problems. The result was a cookie cutter math project! Students were challenged to adjust sugar cookie recipes by increasing and decreasing ingredients proportionally. They then had to decide whether two quantities were proportional by testing for equivalent ratios. 

The IDEALab 3D printed reindeer cookie cutters according to Ms. Goertz's specifications. The reindeers were purposefully printed with varying X and Y coordinates; all proportional to the original design and then students were challenged to find the scale factor.

Students used a variety of applied math skills including multiplication and division of fractions as well as multiplication of percentages to solve the recipe dilemma. Once their recipes were checked for accuracy, the class used the FCS room to make their recipes, bake, and decorate the cookies! 

November 9, 2016

7th Grade English - Campaign Project

Project Description, Standards, Outcomes and Daily Plan

Project Flier

Photo SlideShow

Who will win the election and become Headmaster of Altona?

Mrs. Haagensen's 6th grade Language Arts classses held elections for Lord of Altona! Characters from the Harry Potter series and the Hobbit ran for elected positions. The students worked their way through a Design Challange while learning about the election process. Within teams, various roles were assigned to hold such a successful election; Vice Candidate, Campaign Manager, Publicists, Speech Writers, and Political Aides. Responcibilites were divided and groups met with experts from the community (including Stan Garnett, Boulder District Attorney and others) who came in to help coach the students. Campaign Speeches, Political posters and campaign buttons were made in the IDEALab.  Activities culminated with an actual election where students exercised their right to vote!

October 31, 2016

8th Grade English - Gothic Literature Puppet Shows

Project Description, Standards, Outcomes and Daily Plan

Project Flier

Photo SlideShow

Mr. Udolf's class used the IDEALab and Green Screen Rooms to create Green Screen Puppet Shows about Gothic Literature stories.  The shows included elements of Gothic Literature while also incorporating technology, circuitry and maker materials from the IDEALab.  

September 15, 2016

8th Grade Computer Science - Wearable Technology

Project Description, Standards, Outcomes and Daily Plan

Project Flier

Photo SlideShow

Ms. Kelleher's class prototypes wearable technology projects. Gloves, googles, jackets, tables, crowns, and other items are all being prototyped before actually building circuits and LED lights. During the prototyping phase, students try to implement their designs.

"Looking back at my time in the IDEALab, I've had learning experiences on more extra curricular experience than anything else. I have learned how to 3D model, and how 3D printers operate. This is in addition to learning how to code microprocessors and solder electronics. The most important thing I learned in the Lab was how hard it is to do these things. Before I thought it was going to be easy to code, solder and wire. Now I know what to expect when I need to do stuff like this with electronics and software and also know how to do it."

August 29, 2016

Chinese Students Visitation - Suitcase Design Challenge

How can we design a better suitcase, luggage, or purse?

Chinese students from the Jiangxi Province have been traveling across America and came to visit Altona’s new IDEALab to try a design challenge on August 29, 2016. They experienced each step of the design process and prototyped their ideal luggage. Designs included jet packs, remote controls, purses, and propellers.  These students attend the JiuJiang International Language School. Their teacher, Ms. Che Beibei, teaches English and is the director of the school’s foreign affairs office.  Silver Creek’s Leadership Academy hosted the students. Ms. Ma, a former Altona/Silver Creek Chinese teacher, established the relationship between all 3 schools before returning to China a few years ago.