Exploratorium - January 25th – February 4th, 2016
Big Question: How do I acquire the skills, knowledge base, and habits to make sense
of a complex problem like predicting the future?
Questions for the Project:
1. What factors influence the success of a technological change? How do I extrapolate
new technologies to solve possible problems in the future?
2. How do I examine, analyze, synthesize and evaluate systems? How do I use multiple
media to improve my understanding of the impact of change?
3. How do I use professional criteria to evaluate my progress in skills#, knowledge and
habits?
Words to Think About:
“As a species, we've somehow survived large and small ice ages, genetic bottlenecks, plagues,
world wars and all manner of natural disasters, but I sometimes wonder if we'll survive our
own ingenuity.” Diane Ackerman
“Natural disasters are terrifying - that loss of control, this feeling that something is just
going to randomly end your life for absolutely no reason is terrifying. But, what scares
me is the human reaction to it and how people behave when the rules of civility and
society are obliterated.” Eli Roth
The Story So Far …
Last week provided ample opportunities to ponder disasters. Blizzards and earthquakes
presented themselves for study.
According to Alan November*, the three skills students need to be successful include
1) dealing with massive amounts of information, 2) working collaboratively, and 3) being
self-directed. Last week was Individual Endeavor week where students put these
skills into practice.
* November Learning
And Now …
We return to examining natural disasters and applying the six-step FPS process to this
topic that is likely to impact our future. Note the skills # and assessment at the end of
this document.
We work on the skills#, knowledge base and habits required to complete this process.
Calendar Items:
1.
All Tremont paper work due Friday, January 29th. Please contact Mr. DeGuire or Ms.
Sermos if you have a problem.
a. Checks should be made payable to Wydown Middle School.
b. If you are uncomfortable sharing an SSN#, please write SHRED on the top of the
document.
2. All students wishing to compete for the Future Problem Solving State Bowl please contact
Mr. DeGuire. The State Bowl is the same day as The Science Olympiad State Bowl – April
9th.
3. The Deadline for the Fluor Challenge is soon.
4. All contests and competitions are optional. The skills are taught in class and time is
provided during Individual Endeavor weeks.
5. “Mini-Research Report” – “Technology into the Future” will continue next week if you
haven’t presented yet.
TASKS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Complete annotating your share of the background knowledge in your readings.
Write at least 2 SIAS (Synthesizing#1) for your articles.
Work with your team to complete “Into the Tempest” (Analyzing#2) Characteristics
of Natural Disasters and the “Natural Disaster Blaster” (Structuring an Overview#3).
Work with your Team to complete “This Booklet is a Disaster” 52-64. (“Critique and
Modeling #4,5)
RESOURCES:
1.
2.
Readings: Natural Disasters
Topic Activities: This Booklet... Structured Overview…, Topic Analysis …,
FPS Process Packet (Anatomy of …), SIAS template, TED talks,
Schoology, Research Websites, etc.
As needed, example; transforming research, etc.
3.
4.
SKILLS - January 2016
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Presenting a brief PPT presentation
Taking notes on a presentation
Reading for a purpose (Annotating article summaries)
The Future Problem Solving Process Steps 1-6
SIAS (Summary in a Sentence)
SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Magnify, Minify, Put to Other
Uses, Eliminate, Reverse, Rearrange)
7. Critique and evaluation of work
8. Keeping and transforming information for a purpose
9. Structured Overview
10. Time Management
11. Collaboration
Professional Growth (WCATY)
1. Reading: Is able to make connections in text but is working on making
connections between texts
2. Writing: Developing their style and ability to share unique ideas
3. Knowledge Base: Knows enough about the field to be able to connect ideas
across pieces …
4. Meta-cognition: Knows what they don’t know
3 Skills
1.
2.
3.
Deals with massive amounts of information
Collaborates with a wide variety of people
Is self-directed