Summary+of+MS+Projects

// How do electric devices work? What role do electric circuits play in our daily lives? // Students will design a prototype of an electric device, present their invention to a panel of judges, and make persuasive claims of the device’s usefulness. Additional components of the project may include a presentation to elementary students and the designing of device packaging and logo. L21: Inquiry, Communication, and Creativity/Innovation Tech: Video diary of the design process. Interactive 3D design tools.
 * // It’s Electric! The Electronic Devise Challenge (NEW!) //**
 * Math/Science 6: **** (M. Mack, R. Long, E. Jeng, J. Taylor) **
 * January 6-March 14 **

// What are some water related issues that communities face, and what are potential solutions? // Students will develop an awareness of water-related issues and then, through in-depth research, develop a solution proposal for that particular problem as it relates to their City in the Sea site. Students will vie for a limited pot of “money” to implement their solution, thus needing to make a strong case for the efficacy, impact and economic efficiency of their proposed solution. L21: Inquiry/Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Communication Tech: Databases, Presentation and Social Media (BuddyPress) tools.
 * // Water, Water Everywhere/CITS (ADAPTED) //**
 * Math/Science 7: **** (R. Boardman, F. McGowan, S. Brown, W. Norris) **
 * Feb 10-Mar 20 **

// How can we design and produce a package for a specific purpose? How does failure help us to succeed? // Students will design packaging that satisfies the dimension and volume requirements of the product and is cost effective for the company to produce. They will also have choice in the level of challenge in terms of which product to develop a package for. L21: Inquiry/Problem Solving, Collaboration, Communication Tech: Google Sketchup and presentation tools.
 * // Pack it Up! (NEW!) //**
 * Math 8: **** (K. Williams, L Craig) **
 * Jan 16-Feb 18 **

// How do we produce a polymer? How can we make one that will sell? // Students will use the scientific method to invent a new form of slime (polymer). Then, they will come up with a use for the slime and create a strategy for bringing their slime to market. Through this process, they will also learn the importance of prototyping and the design process. L21: Inquiry, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity/Innovation Tech: Video or image slideshow for presentation.
 * // Slime Forever! (ADAPTED) //**
 * Science 8: **** (W. Winkelman, T. Shrimpton, L. Popscichal, R. Williams) **
 * March 1-20 **

// How do we know what we know about the past? How do archeologists investigate the past? // This project will help students understand the process of an excavation through a simulated dig. They will use critical thinking, inquiry and problem solving to conclude about a mystery civilization based on hidden artifacts. L21: Inquiry, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Tech: Data recording, presentation, and online communication tools.
 * // Dig It (ADAPTED) //**
 * Humanities 6: ( **** W. Bory, E. Buschlen, I. Carter, N. Rosevear, A. Armstrong, V. Brown, N. Craan, G. Blase) **
 * Nov 18-Jan 17 **

// Why are governments formed? How do they help us meet our basic needs in society? // This project will challenge students to create a government that will be used as the decision-making body for 7th Grade’s //City in the Sea// simulation. Students will be prompted to analyze the effectiveness of their chosen government and how it functions to meet the wants and needs of its citizens. L21 Focus: Creativity and Innovation Tech Focus: Buddy Press and Social Media
 * // Building a Government/CITS (ADAPTED) //**
 * Humanities 7: **** (P. Cavallerano, B. Forslund, P. Koch, A. Davidson C. Gillis) **
 * Nov 18- Dec 2 **

// How do travel writers engage and inform their readers? // How does where one lives influence how one lives in China? Student will create travel magazines that are structured to show their understanding of the 5 Themes of Geography and designed to engage and inform expats who have just arrived in China. L21 Focus: Collaboration and Communication. Tech Focus: Electronic publications and slideshow presentation.
 * // Humanities 8: Five Themes E-zine (ADAPTED) //**
 * (J. Fidler, C. Herzberg, N. Long, K. McGowan, D. Schuster) **
 * Oct 28-Dec 6 **

// How do artists communicate their personal stories through their work? // Students study the work of Thai artist Vilailak Udomsrianan to learn the power of image and shape and to understand the life opportunities within the field of the arts. Students then chose a shape that represents them and add a personal story to each object. The project allows the students to visually communicate a story, a moment in their life. L21: Innovation and Creativity, Communication Tech: Internet search techniques for images
 * // Art 7: This Story is Taking Shape (NEW!) //**
 * (S. Northcott) **
 * Dates vary by class. **

// Why is the circle a universal symbol/shape? How and why do we express ourselves through art? // Students design and create individual personalized mandalas in which their life experiences inform the symbols and designs integrated into the radial structure. Inspired by the ephemeral sand mandalas of Tibetan culture as well as the street performance mandalas of contemporary artist Joe Mangrum, students learn how to simplify and abstract images to incorporate into an integrated design. Completed mandalas will be printed and exhibited, each accompanied by a personally written artist statement explaining the making and the symbolism of the work. L21: Innovation and Creativity, Communication Tech: Photoshop and digital image manipulation
 * // Art 8: Mandala Project (NEW!) //**
 * (A. Zvinakis) **
 * Dates vary by class. **

// To what extent does composition, scoring, arranging, improvising in various style enhance our understanding of music? // This project involves students working with Australian composer James Humberstone over six months. They will perform his original works and compose their own pieces under his guidance. These compositions will be digitally collected and presented as an installation piece for our school community to enjoy. L21: Inquiry and Critical Thinking. Tech: Garageband (for composition) and online collaboration.
 * // Performing Arts: Cryptology on Two Continents (NEW!) //**
 * (R. Freeman, T. Yu, N. Long, V. Schapel, C. Bulteel) **
 * Nov 4-February **

// What makes a strong theatrical performance? What is the importance of collaboration in a production? How does an actor create a character? // Through their participation in the middle school play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” students will gain skills of communication and expression. Also, through the rehearsal and critique process, they will learn to hone their skills towards a collaborative, public performance. L21: Collaboration, Communication Tech: Theater technology (sound and lighting)
 * // The Play's the Thing (A Play from the Page to the Stage) (NEW!) //**
 * (Drama: H. Northcott) **
 * Oct-Nov 30 **

// What does it take to become a champion? Is a perfect score in gymnastics possible? // Students will choreograph and perform a routine in a chosen gymnastics event: floor, beam, parallel bars, or vault. Students will visit a renowned sports school in Beijing to understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level, focusing on commitment, perseverance and how students enhance and improve performance. Students will document their progress, which culminates in a performance of their gymnastics routine. L21: Innovation and Creativity Tech: Digital portfolio (i-pad apps and blogs)
 * // Physical Education: Road to Rio (NEW!) //**
 * (K. Jarman, A. Kirk, A. Ostrom, M. Razik, H. Biggs, J. Cooper) **
 * Dates vary by class. **

// What does it take to improve in something? Is it true that practice makes perfect? // Students work as teams of independent movie producers making a 60 second Wushu action video for 5M Films (a fictitious, “internationally famous” company). Students film their skills, critique each other, and retake their exercises until they reach an acceptable standard of performance. The product is a collage of Wushu skills and a motivational slogan that encourages others to adopt an active lifestyle. L21: Leadership and responsibility Tech: Media literacy and movie-making applications.
 * // Grade 7 Wushu: Action Movies (ADAPTED) //**
 * (T. Flores) **
 * Dates vary by class. **

// What is our responsibility to the people of China? How can we support education of other children in China? // Couleurs de Chine (Colors of China) is a French organization sponsoring the education of minority girls in China. Through this project, students will learn about the Miao people, raise awareness of their difficulties, and collect money to assist them. They will be working directly with experts from Couleurs de Chine, especially in marketing, advertisement, and service learning. L21: Leadership and Responsibility, Creativity and Innovation Tech: Presentation software
 * // French: Couleurs de Chine (NEW!) //**
 * (S. Jacques, F. Nédellec) **
 * Oct 7-Dec **

// How will speaking Chinese enhance my experiences of living in Beijing? //// How does a good speaker communicate? // In this project, students will pick a “survival” topic, identify useful expressions and vocabulary, and create a product or performance that will teach non-speakers of Chinese within our ISB community. The presentation will be interactive so that students and audience members can enhance their experience of living in Beijing and communicating in the Chinese language. L21: Inquiry, Problem Solving, and Communication. Tech: Varies based on student choice of product and presentation.
 * // Chinese A1/A2: Survival Guide (NEW!) //**
 * (J. McDonald, R. Chung, C. Cheng) **
 * Date? **

// What makes a good story? // //How can we effectively present a story?// In this project, students will produce a story book and present this to their audience through either face-to-face storytelling or through an online platform (e-book). Students will develop skills in narrating and describing experiences, in reading and composing multiple paragraph length stories, in orally presenting ideas effectively, and in comprehending and discussing oral stories. L21: Communication Tech: Applications for creating, editing, and presenting, including: Garage band, iMovie, Quicktime, Powerpoint, Keynote, ePad, and Studywiz Gallery.
 * // Chinese A3: Storytelling Project (ADAPTED) //**
 * (Y. Chen, D. Wu) **
 * May 5-30 **

// How does learning Chinese enhance our experiences in China and enable us to contribute to our community? // Students will research and collect information from local Chinese websites, newspapers, magazines, and story books on topics of interest, interview Chinese teens in person or online, interact with guest speakers to learn the essential Chinese skills required in the work place, experiment with Chinese calligraphy guided by a local artist, research and interpret classic idioms and popular slang, etc. In the end, students will put these products together and publish a //Teen’s Guide to Speaking Chinese Like a Native.// L21: Communication Tech: Internet research and online collaboration tools.
 * // Chinese A4: Teen’s Guide to Speaking Like a Native (NEW!) //**
 * (G. Zeng) **
 * Oct -Dec 12 **

How to keep cultural traditions alive in the modern society? In this project, students will group themselves based on interest to explore and showcase their cultural celebrations at the ISB Temple Fair during Chinese New Year. Students will exhibit their learning through videos, cards, and posters. They will also hold a teaching session for all the visitors from a community at school during Chinese New Year. L21: Inquiry, Creativity and Innovation Technology: Internet research, iMovie, eBook, and eCard.
 * // Chinese NeoNative: Year of the Horse (NEW!) //**
 * (C. Gong, F. Jia, J.Shan, CL. Tuanmu, Q. Wu, J. Wu, L.Zhou) **
 * Dec 11-Jan 24 **

= // LEGO Balloon Cars – Blow to Go! (NEW) // = Design Technology: Randy Williams Date: Semester 2 // How can the design process and effective collaboration be used to make better products? // Working in groups, students will apply the laws of motion to their own LEGO balloon cars. Next, they will create prototypes. test their models, and make improvements to their cars to make them go faster and straighter. Throughout the process, students will use iMovie to document their design thinking and evaluate how their group collaborated. L21: Innovation and Creativity, Collaboration Tech: iMovie video documentation