Rocket Science/Next Great Adventure (NGA) Exhibition 2020-2021 Sprint 4

Rocket Science Exhibition

Preschool / Spark Studio

“How many Shopkins can you rescue from the world’s deepest hole, the Kola Superdeep Borehole?” That was the PS Eagles’ challenge for the Rocket Science Quest. To succeed, the Eagles went through several steps. They started off by learning about different types of rockets and thought about what materials they would need to build them.

They then formed teams and created the different types of rockets, after-which they experimented with each rocket through a process of trial and error, observation and recording. Changes and repairs were made, as were tweaks to the flight techniques. 

The PS Eagles tried Straw Rockets, Stomp Rockets, Balloon Rockets, and also dropped food down the Borehole with a Balloon Parachute. They narrowed the decision down by conducting a Heavy Lifting Experiment to determine which Rocket could lift the most Shopkins (represented by pegs) out. In the end, they determined that Stomp Rockets were the most effective. Even then, they still continued to experiment with flight techniques to save the optimum number of Shopkins.

SY pumping up the balloon for his Balloon Rocket.
SO testing her Stomp Rocket.
How hard do I have to blow to launch my Straw Rocket? IA wonders.
ASH: My balloon is powerful!
AX: If I pump it larger, it will go further.
AYD: Pump, pump, pump!
AR preparing to launch her rocket.

On Exhibition Day, the energy was high and the Eagles were focussed on their mission. They attached the Shopkins to the Rockets. They prepared their Stomp Rockets and Launchers on the Rooftop Play Area. AR took to the microphone with the Eagles’ challenge: “Can the PS Studio save the Shopkins from the bottom of the Kola Superdeep Borehole using Heavy Lifting Stomp Rockets?”

The PS Eagles did just that with calm and confidence gained from 6 weeks of building rocket after rocket, testing, and retesting over and over. Going in pairs, they launched their Stomp Rockets as high as they could …. up & up & up … those that went over the Borehole wall got out! YAY! 

At the end of the Exhibition, AR reported that 20 Shopkins were saved, and the PS Eagles celebrated with a 3-2-1 Clap!

AR set the tone as the emcee.
Mr D assisted with the Launcher setup.
AAR: 3…2…1…STOMP!
OR: My turn to STOMP hard!
AYV: Now it’s MY turn!
AND was action-packed.

Elementary School Studio 

Rocket Launch

“SpaceX has chosen ActonKL as a new Astronaut Training Center — teams will compete at the Rocket Science Exhibition to see who earns their spot as an Astronaut.”

Challenged with this, the ES Eagles formed teams and set to it by analyzing rocket designs to see which ones might be the most aerodynamic and powerful. They then analyzed what materials would give their rocket the edge over their competitors’. Even fuel was analysed – amount, quality and application.  

Then came hours and days of trials, experimentation, failure, tweaking, reanalysis, frustration and … triumph … for some. Launches were planned and executed, countless hours of research waded through. The experimentation process also invites self-awareness … how do you deal with failure? How do you acknowledge triumph?

The ES Eagles experimented with Balloon Line Rockets, Baking Soda and Vinegar Rockets, Straw Rockets, Stomp Rockets, Water Rockets, and Parachute Rockets. They discussed the basic science of rockets, safety vis a vis ignition, data analysis, altitude tracking and calculation, as well as rocket design. 

All this culminated on Exhibition Day in a competition for the top spot! The Launch Site was set in the Rooftop Play Area, and 2 emcees set the mood for the attendees. The mood was tense but excited and … the competition began!

Team after team set and fired their rockets with efficiency and precision during the Qualifying Round. The qualifiers went through to the next round and the competition was over in a flash, leaving it up to the emcees to finalise and announce the winner … which was L’s team! The winning rocket design was created from a polystyrene water gun tube – as it flew the best. Congratulations, L, S and AND!

CLA and AZ spoke about their choices for their rocket.
K and JOH presented their rocket designing process.
J, X, I and AL tested out their Rocket in open space.
Qualifying Round blast off!

X setting up for his Stomp Rocket challenge.

AZ and CL shout GO GO GO! 

L, S and AND are ready … set … GO!

L, S and A won! Congrats!

Science-Based Fiction

The ES Eagles then showcased their Writer’s Workshop pieces, which this Sprint was Science-Based Fiction – fiction built around, or containing, scientific fact. The Eagles stood by to discuss their pieces with attendees. Imagination was high, yet there seemed to be various themes running through the pieces … animals and space, interspersed with a creative story about an air pollution monster and another story about our old gaming friends Mario and Luigi.

Alessa’s kitten was determined to learn about germs.

AZ’s cute fluffy hamsters went on an adventure.

JAR’s story has an important message about our impact on planet Earth.

JAS’ Super Cat saves the day!
JOH wrote about the boy who adventures into space.
IS’s story has everybody’s favourite game characters eating ice cream!
AD’s story is about a cat that lives on Mars who receives alien visitors.
Exhibition attendees enjoyed hearing about the fantastic stories directly from the authors.
“Tell me more about what happened.”

Next Great Adventure (NGA) & Personal Quest Exhibition

Middle School / Launchpad Studio

Personal Quest

“What is your NGA – your Next Great Adventure?” The MSLP Eagles explored this question this Sprint as they thought about the next step in their Hero’s Journey – post school and into the world beyond.

It’s a daunting question, but one that is vital to answer with clear thought and open, honest minds and hearts. The Eagles found that it’s actually not that daunting if they break the process into steps, the first step being to go into deep introspection about:

“Who am I?”

“Who am I meant to be?”

“Where do I fit in in this world?”

To explore these questions, the MSLP Eagles embarked on Personal Quests – projects that were close to their hearts. These projects helped to narrow down their passions and highlight their proclivities and interests, as well as any potential weaknesses they might have. Through these explorations, the Eagles discovered more about themselves, too.

Andre created a video showcasing PS Playtime to explore his aspiration of video editing.

Capturing the spirit of the subject is what a video editor does.

Keane aims to be a programming designer, so he designed a computer game.

Keane’s game reflects his programming skills.

Apsie is looking to be a graphic designer, so she used Procreate to hone her graphic design skills.

Practise makes perfect, so Apsie practises design every chance she gets.

We draw inspiration from things we love … they will propel us ever onwards.

To do something well, you need to study, analyse and dissect many samples of work – those that inspire you, and those that you feel don’t work.

Every aspect of the craft you’re hoping to take on should be studied.

How do the characters work to make the movie on of Orie’s favourites? How can she create the same magic in her work?

Hadiya focuses on what is important to her to determine her gifts, flow and interests.

She delved deeper into the importance of her name. Self-reflection and -analysis is the key to growth.

Hadiya was very thorough in her self-analysis.

Arjun was so happy to discover the love of his life could earn him money.

He melded 3 of his passions in this project … program design, Minecraft, and monkeys.

Arjun tried his best to make the characters resemble the real thing.

NGA Board

Once these questions were explored, they found that they could identify passions that drove them to get up in the morning. For 1 Eagle, it is video editing, for another Eagle, it is film directing. An Eagle who is fascinated by primates has discovered Primatology. Another Eagle is driven to go into Environmental Science, and another is leaning towards working with children or in the field of psychology. 1 Eagle is looking into Photography or graphic design.

The next step was to research further into their chosen fields – What do they really entail on a day-to-day basis? Does the daily work really suit me? What credentials are required to enter the field? What character traits? What would the pay-scale look like?

Then the Eagles took action to make these theoretical ideas come to life. Projects, apprenticeships, real-world experiences, deliberate skill practise and mentorships brought their chosen professions to life for them and gave them a clearer picture of what their NGA would look like. All the while, they leaned on their peers for warm-hearted support and tough-minded critique to spur them on their journeys.

On Exhibition day, the MSLP Eagles confidently walked attendees through their plans, answering questions about the whys and the hows. They were given real-world feedback from attendees who happened to be in the know about the fields they are interested in, and some were even offered apprenticeship connections and commission jobs during the exhibition itself! It was an eye-opener for both the Eagles and the attendees alike.

Orie’s passion is to be an animation film director.

The Eagles draw up a NGA chart to show their thought processes visually.

The Eagles narrow down the industry they want to go into, as well as the job and salary that they can expect. They also map out the credentials they need.

Apsie is inspired by Harry Potter: she keeps his message close to her.

A plan helps to keep you on track anytime you aren’t sure of your next step.

Apsie has a plan to work towards her goal of Graphic Design.

Knowing exactly what you need to do towards your goal keeps you on track.

A plan B is always a good idea in any circumstance.

Knowing your strengths and the why behind what you are doing keeps you in line with your goals.

Being as specific as possible also keeps your eye on the prize.

The big WHY is something to always keep in mind.

Any decision you make is fine, as long as you have thought it through and can explain your reasoning.

Being aware of what you’ve learned will help you to grow.

Self reflection will spur growth.

Dhanya capitalises on her resources.

Hadiya acknowledges that she is starting from scratch.

Hadiya used her resources (in this case, a career test) to discover where her strengths could take her.

Each detail of all avenues are explored.

Keeping abreast of the opportunities available is important to find a window or opportunity.

Talking to people in your chosen fields helps to realise if the job and the industry is really for you.

Andre is keeping it lighthearted, but he knows his passions.

Andre has his eye on video editing.

How much does it pay? That’s a good question.

Andre included important character traits that he needs in his credentials … soft skills sometimes overlooked.

Knowing the various jobs you can do within a chosen industry is also a good idea.

Keane takes Yoda’s advice to heart.

A step in the right direction.

A flow chart shows the steps that Keane will go through to his goal.

Keane has researched into what he would be drawing as a mid-level designer.

Keane has also thought about the extra things design companies would take into consideration.

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