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30 Foot Crane Creates Memorable Math in Action
A 30' crane created memorable math in action for the Pre-Algebra students at Da Vinci Academy in Elgin, Illinois.
At Da Vinci Academy, creating opportunities to see learning in action is part of the advanced curriculum at all grade levels. And this was seen in BIG ways this past week when Mr. Galvan's Pre-Algebra class decided to take their pendulum project to a whole new level... a level of 30 feet to be exact.
Galvan's class had been investigating the math associated with a pendulum, specifically the period of a pendulum which is the time it takes for the bob to complete a complete swing – front and back. Prior to actually testing their prediction on the giant crane, the students ran classroom experiments and investigated what variable affects the period: weight of the bob, arm length, angle of release. Then they collected data and discussed what is ‘normal’. This led them to calculating the mean and standard deviation of the data. Once they narrowed down that which affects the period they collected more data and graphed it.
After the investigation of many different types of functions (equations), they chose the one that best fit their data and from there they made a prediction on the period of any pendulum.
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The students conducting the experiment presented their process and predictions to the whole school in an assembly before inviting them outside to test the pendulum project at 30' using a giant crane! A BIG THANK YOU to O'Donnell Crane Service for providing the crane. The whole school watched as the giant arm of the crane extended 30' and then helped to count the periods as the bob swung back and forth. After five tests of five swings each test, the Pre-Algebra students did the calculations to determine how close their prediction came.
They were within less than one second! Great job, Da Vinci Academy! #wherebrightmindstakeflight
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Da Vinci Academy is a non-profit, private, independent day school for gifted and academically talented children in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school has open enrollment, as space allows, and encourages families to arrange for tours of the classrooms. To find out more about the school, visit www.dvacademy.org or call 847-841-7532 and ask for Amanda Davey, Assistant Head of School and Director of Admissions.
