Imsa on March 10th and 17th

On March 10th IMSA was learning to read a code based on a base-2 system, binary system.  First we worked with magnets to show the students that they are polarized on one side and not on the other.  This set up the "on" or "off" situation.  We then incorporated that on/off system into a binary system in order to code numbers.  We then developed our own coded numbers and had the other groups try to decode them using what was taught during the lesson.

This unit is a little paper driven since it deals with codes.  Due to this we chose to do the "Locking onto an Idea Considering the Possibilities" lesson.  We first had them do an activity where they worked with probability and dice.  In this activity order mattered when considering the possibilities.  Activity 2 involved them all following the same set of walking directions in different orders and how that produced very different outcomes for each group.  On March 24th we will wrap up this activity.

 

*****We have noticed a large increase in the use of cell phones during IMSA.  Due to this growing distraction we are going to ask the IMSA students to leave them in their lockers or turn them off during IMSA.  If they continue use of the cellphones we will ask them to leave.  We hope everyone understands and supports our enforcement of this rule*****

Finding the Right Route 3-3-14

This week we worked on Route Transposition Template Ciphers to both encrypt and decode messages.  Although it was difficult at first we think the majority of the students really caught on as they continued to work on them and develop their own message.

We started with a message similar to this.

 

The students then used all of their previous knowledge of ciphers to try and solve it.  When that did not work we helped out with a hint.  We talked about arrays and used an example.  This really got them headed in the right direction.  However, there was still a lot of trial and error that occurred before they were able to figure it out.  Some of that trial and error is shown in the pictures below.

  The students slowly but surely caught on and developed their own messages for each other to decipher.  We encourage conversations at home about each type of ciphers we work on during IMSA.  It may even turn out to help you at the end of the year parent night!!!  See you all next week!

2-24-14 Meeting

Caesar's Cipher

The previous meeting allowed the students to understand how an alpha-numeric cipher works and how to use the wheel to help them figure out the ciphers.  We continued working with the alpha-numeric ciphers but this time we played an online game with it.  We used a website where the students were given several ciphers.  These ciphers were their clues to the next cipher.  Eventually they freed the djinni. 

 Here are a couple of pictures of the website and examples of the ciphers the students were solving.  As you can see below the students were very engaged with this activity!  It was great to see and experience the competiveness within them to be the first group to rescue the djinni.

February 3rd and 10th Meetings

So sorry for the lack of posts as of late.  Things here at Churchill have been very crazy and busy with all of the snow days that have been used. 

At the last two IMSA meetings we have finished up the Engineering Unit with an activity called Fusion Express.  In this activity the students had to design and create a vessel for a Pringle chip to be shipped in.  We also had them create QR codes to attach to their vessel.  The QR code has a message for the recipient to scan, read and enjoy.  When finished we boxed all of the chip vessels and shipped them off to the Lombard IMSA Fusion Group.  We should in return be receiving their vessels within the next week.  Now as we all know when things get shipped they sometimes have a "rough ride."  So what we will be looking for is how well both schools groups built their vessels and if the chip survived the shipment!  Below are some photos of our teams at work building the vessel and the box that all of them were shipped in. 

 Here are several of our chip vessesls!  Sure hope they are packaged safely!!

 

Inside this box are all of the groups Chip vessels.  This will be shipped to Lombard and they will open up the vessels to see if the chip "survived" the trip!

 

 

Once we finished up the Fusion Express we started working on our first Code Breaking activity.  We started the Cesar's Cipher activity.  Cesar's Cipher is a alpha-numeric code and below is a picture of the wheel used to help us break the codes. 

With next week being President's Day on Monday we will not be meeting. We look forward to seeing everyone back in room 60 for more Code Breaking on February 24, 2014!!

2nd Semester Snack Schedule

Below is the snack schedule for 2nd Semester.  Currently we have a couple spots still open, I will fill those in when we touch base with those that were absent on 1-13-14.  Thanks so much for signing up and all of the snacks are very much appreciated!!
**Reminder: we need snacks for approx. 30 students.

Jan. 13th, 2014

Topsy Turvy

 

Today the students were engaged in learning about fulcrum points and balancing.  We applied knowledge that we gained in the activities to the use of cranes in the real world. 

 We then attempted to create these instances with our weighted bags and meter sticks.  The kids worked on balancing their meter sticks given different variables. 

 The found a pattern for their meter sticks and then used it to make further predictions and complete other activities.

*** Remember no school on Jan. 20th!  Our next meeting will be on Jan. 27th!  We will also meet for a webinar that week on Jan. 30th.  I will be posting the new snack sign up sheet soon. 

First Meeting of the New Year

Mrs. Blust and I are excited to see everyone at the first meeting.  We will be meeting on monday, Jan. 13, 2014 in room 60.  We will be doing a new sign up sheet for treats and that will be posted here as soon as it is finalized!  See you Monday.