At PNA, we use Project Based Learning as a teaching method to help students learn better. A project motivates students to gain knowledge, retain content longer, and apply the skills to relevant real-world situation. The 21st century skills embedded in the process will help students succeed in the future, both in school and the work world.
In third grade, the project is called The Arcade Game Challenge that will last about 3-4 weeks.
Based on NGSS Standards, the learning objectives are:
– To plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
– To make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
In third grade, the project is called The Arcade Game Challenge that will last about 3-4 weeks.
Based on NGSS Standards, the learning objectives are:
– To plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
– To make observations and/or measurements of an object’s motion to provide evidence that that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
Hook ‘Em!
|
The Arcade Challenge kicked off with Caine’s Arcade video. This entry event sparked student curiosity and fired up the engine of inquiry to carry the project forward.
|
The smiles say it all.
|
|
The project’s Driving Question, which focuses our work, is “How can we, as engineers, create arcade games for Kid’s Kitchen?” Students will also host a Game Day at PNA where other students will be encouraged to bring carrots and broccoli to play. The final product (and the vegetables) will be brought to Kid’s Kitchen where third grade students will have an opportunity to eat dinner and play with underprivileged children.
As part of the learning process, the class took a trip to the arcade to see how real arcade games work and to get some ideas on what they would want to build.
Students will be assessed individually on their content knowledge, their collaboration skills, and their presentation skills. Parents are encouraged to discuss the project at home, to motivate students to think hard and ask questions. Please check out our newsletter every week to follow third grade’s journey.
