LEGO® OCEANOGRAPHY
My friend Brenda asked me if I would like to come out to the school
where she teaches and do a presentation for their "oceanography"
section.
While Pat McShane ( the grizzled founder ) had some knowledge of
oceanography, I did not! According to The New Illustrated
Science and Invention Encyclopedia, Oceanography is the "study of all
aspects of the sea. It includes the physical and chemical
properties
of water itself, the plants and animals that live in it and the geology of the
seabed."
According to the same source, more than 70% of the Earth's surface is
covered by water and oceanography has contributed much to the
total scientific understanding of the Earth.
So how could the intrepid PCS teaching staff capture Nampa students' imaginations?
How could we excite people living in a desert environment into
wanting to explore the different subdisciplines of oceanography!
Buried treasure of course!
Jason built boxes measuring about 17x17 inches by 8 inches deep.
Large 48x48 stud plates could be fit into each box and covered
by boards with predrilled holes.
On the baseplates I built LEGO® oceanographic topographies
ranging from 1 to 4 bricks high. In different locations I
attached halves of pirate ships onto the plates. Each plate
was then inserted into a box and sealed.
Brenda had each class break up into four groups. I briefly talked about the need to
explore the ocean floor...and led into the search for the Titanic!
A familiar story ( thanks to various books, movies and National Geographic documentaries )
the Titanic was a famous big ship that sank some years ago.
Researchers decided it was time to find the Titanic and document her final resting place.
The students were informed they were now working for the
PCS Oceanographic Institute and needed to find the Titanic. We
did not know the exact location but could guess the
general area ( the Titanic's radio operator gave coordinates
that were 13 miles off! ). In any case, we needed an
accurate map to guide the PCS Submarine!
Each group was assigned a box, given graph paper and a ruler.
In addition, a "Top Secret" packet was handed out which included
string, paper clips, small fish weights and plastic straws.
I made wooden dowels with markings for the project, but I
wanted to incorporate a "problem solving" element to the affair.
As it stood, the assignment required students to brainstorm and interact
as a group since each class had only about 38 minutes to
map the simulated ocean! ( Each box has about 225 holes !)
We tested the project with some PCS students.
They easily picked up how to find the sunken ship.
With a measuring tool of some sort, we could chart the topography.
Most of the students threw themselves wholeheartedly into the project!
Various solutions were tried and discarded...( many assumed all the
parts in the packet were to be used and would do interesting things
combining all the pieces ). In the end, a majority of groups
successfully and accurately mapped each box and identified the location of the
Titanic! The students were ingenious and diligent in their
exploration....other teachers brought word that this was the
event of the week and each class walked in asking questions
about the ocean's floor! We talked about why ships sink
( particularly the Titanic )...the Soviet nuclear sub and the
search for the Bismark. I am constantly amazed how LEGO® bricks
can be incorporated into any curriculum!
HEY LOOK AT SOME PICS OF THE PCS OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE!
Let's Look!
Is it Here?
LOOK HERE!
The Team is On Top of It!
Recording the Depths!
How the Bottom Looks!
Buried Treasure!
Check Out the Numbers!
Victory!
Another Success!
I feel these students pushed themselves to succeed because they were involved in a FUN
hands-on challenge! One that entailed observable results
and incorporated discovery, exploration and elements
of problem solving! By using LEGO® bricks, students were
immediately connected with the assignment...they all
knew what LEGO® bricks were...by using a constructive that was
already a part of their experience, they were captivated
to get their feet wet and explore a small part of this planet!
Go Back to Weird Richard
Copyright© 1996 by Richard Wright for PCS Education Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved
