ECO WALL PANCHAYAT UNION MIDDLE SCHOOL, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Technology

CONTENT

Technology

using software for 3d design

Character

Environmental awareness

Global Goal

Skill

Observation, representation, creativity and new technology application to our daily life

Age Group

11-12 years / Grade 6

Learning Standards

  Mcrel  level 3, grades 6-8 http://www2.mcrel.org/compendium/kskillsDetail.asp?subjectID=19&benchmarkID=710&kskillsID=12951

Prerequisite

Students should have understanding of basic ‘Shapes, their Properties and Measurement’.

LEARNING GOAL & PURPOSE

This is an inspiring story of change from PUMS, Tamil Nadu, India, where children were bothered by the issue of dumping plastic bottles causing drainage blocks. They came up with a simple solution of using those bottles to build an economical compound wall. With this experience of creativity, teamwork and environmental awareness, students can see a practical experience of how their core strengths are useful; creativity and both scientific and logical-mathematical thinking are mixed for a common good.

Lesson Plan

  • Show the presentation (16 slides) to the children. Discuss the way forward to replicate the idea in your school. Could we design something to improve our school or any public spaces that we use regularly?
  • Students learns suitable tools and techniques to implement a proposed design: Using the computers, how can we design this creations? Introduction to to Sketchup 3d free software, how can we design our ideas? TIP: students can make a research on different design software. Suggestion: Sketchup 3d free software, AutoCad trials or software for students.
  • Working on their own or in couples, have to map different spaces of the school, first by hand in their notebooks and then use the computer software. TIP: Creativity: make them think now about redesigning that space, apply the changes.
  • : Before starting the design, remember about designing with the user and not for the user! Comunication skills: students have to ask other students and teachers about the changes, what do they need?
  • : Students have to think about how to explain their design in front of the rest of the students, answer questions and make questions.
  • Does the school users want to make any of the designs true?