The Showcase day - Dec.15, 2004

Gaggle

THe chain reaction work was truly phenomenal! The groups worked incredibly hard to get their links built and working as they had envisioned. Each group had ideas that were very original, and some that had to be redone - case in point, one group wanted to build a catapult but wasn't able to make it work so they reevaluated on the showcase day and come up with other ideas for moving a ball instead of launching it. THe teamwork is growing here - this group of students worked hard to help each other out, not only in the chain reaction process, but also in the realms of teaching each other how to program crickets, make switches, learn how to use power tools, and see other people's ideas come to fruition. A few of the groups used their time very wisely and were able to realize their intricate vision, as evidenced by the photographs below. The chain was run 4 times that day, and even though we never got through the whole thing without having to help t along from time to time, the work done was impressive to the students and to the visitors. Crowds of museum visitors came to watch each running of the chain, as well as museum staff. Some of the students even took to helping explain what was going on to younger kids - that was really great to see. The students evaluated each other's work, and those sheets are being processed now. A report on that is forthcoming.

Murder

Today was to be the showcase of the student films. Each group had worked hard on a storyboard for their movie, and the groups were given the option of doing stop motion animation, or video, or both if they wanted. There were six films made, and two of them were finished. THe groups that completed their films according to the specifications given used their time very wisely, making the most of the working and filming time given. Some of the students hit a creative wall, so to speak, when they realized that what they wanted to do they were not able to make happen, for various reasons. I want to express thanks to Megan for being such a great encouragement to the kids here. I must comment that the film made by Joey, David, and Melanie was done in an amazingly creative way - costuming, special effects, even outtakes were filmed! Very impressed here! THe students were given the task of evaluating the stories being told using the elements of a good story given earlier in the year. We wanted to see if in the final works the students could identify plots, characters, settings, and these forms are being processed now. A report on this is forthcoming.

Staff

THe Design IT Studio staff is truly amazing! I want to express my thanks to Myles, Gabe, Nick, Megan, Bill, and Karie for their incredibly hard work last week! I can't thank you enough for truly making the day great for the kids and for me. I"m looking forward to January!

JONATHON