Welcome Back!!!
Grade 8 Fluid Powered Gripping DeviceAs part of their Science units on Systems in Action, and Fluids, the grade 8s were challenged to work in small teams to design a device that used mechanisms that could assist a person in a wheelchair to reach out-of-reach shelves. See the Science & Tech 8 page for more details of the problem! It took a lot of problem-solving, research, asking questions, looking around for ideas and collaboration. It was great to see how students learned from each other. It was particularly fantastic when each team had their "aha" moment, or the moment when their device actually worked! Below are some of their finished devices.
Visual Arts 8B 2015 - exploring 3 dimensional work8B explored building and creating 3 dimensional work using sturdy wooden frames, heavy gauge wire, Scholastic flyers, and other found objects. Students investigated how they can use these materials to create shape with strength and through trial and error, problem-solving, and team-work, they produced these!
Skills Competition 2015
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SPRING MIX 2015
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Beaumonde Heights - North York Harvest Food Drive
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Grade 7: Protect the EGG Challenge!!!
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We have been imagining that we were engineers for the past eight classes. We had to design a "go-cart" and build a prototype. The context was that the go-cart company could not use a steep hill for their newest and fastest track because their carts were not safe enough. They could not get insured so they were looking to us to redesign! We had to follow a set of criteria including:
- fit a single egg in the "passenger" seat (Egg should be loaded, in and out within 20 seconds) - roll down the ramp on it's own and move straight to hit the wall directly - use a maximum of four or less recyclable/ found materials that are clean to use - hold the engine - passenger 'egg' should be safe after impact to the wall. (no cracks and remain in the vehicle) Here are some incredible pictures of some very unique and well designed mini-go carts!!! Written by Owishi & Tanvir Edited by Ms. Ang |
Our poor egg passengers!!!
Overall, grade 7s had about a 50% success rate when it came to designing carts that protected the egg. Here is a summary of our reflections:
- Seatbelts save eggs! Eggs that were tossed out of vehicles had the most damage
- Motor position should be secure and there should be good protection between the motor and the egg
- Balance is important so that the vehicle does not flip over or turn unnecessarily
- Dense sponge protects better than very soft sponge upon impact
- Positioning the passenger egg so that you use the strength of the eggs natural arch at the top and bottom helps
- Some vehicles feel apart at the joins when there were no supports such as gussets and braces
- Reduce friction at the wheels by adding washers so wheels didn't rub up against the frame of the vehicle
Overall, grade 7s had about a 50% success rate when it came to designing carts that protected the egg. Here is a summary of our reflections:
- Seatbelts save eggs! Eggs that were tossed out of vehicles had the most damage
- Motor position should be secure and there should be good protection between the motor and the egg
- Balance is important so that the vehicle does not flip over or turn unnecessarily
- Dense sponge protects better than very soft sponge upon impact
- Positioning the passenger egg so that you use the strength of the eggs natural arch at the top and bottom helps
- Some vehicles feel apart at the joins when there were no supports such as gussets and braces
- Reduce friction at the wheels by adding washers so wheels didn't rub up against the frame of the vehicle
8B's Art History Exploration
Choose an artist and find out about him or her. Write a short biography and include examples of their famous and not so famous work. Then, try your best to recreate their work!
BAC Pumpkin Carving Competition!
Thank you to all who participated and helped to vote!
BAC ELECTIONS
Congratulations to Furqan and Dashreen, elected Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of this year's BAC. Thank you to those candidates who worked on their campaign, wrote speeches, and had the courage to go for it!!
The remaining BAC members list will be posted outside middle school doors on Monday October 6th in the morning.
The remaining BAC members list will be posted outside middle school doors on Monday October 6th in the morning.
CURRICULUM NIGHT
Welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to visit the Science & Technology teacher! I appreciate any questions or concerns you may have so please ask! Feel free to borrow an iPad and peruse my class website too. Here I try to keep parents and students up to date on lessons with supportive websites, images, notes, and video tutorials. Students can often access class hand outs, relevant text pages, as well as ask questions and hand in assignments.
Please note I teach many classes.
For class 7A, 7B, 8A I teach the Science & Technology curriculum
For class 8B, I teach the Science & Technology, History, Geography, Visual Arts, and Computer curriculum
For 6A and 6B, I teach Computers and support Media Literacy
Student Leadership
As well, with a team of Middle school teachers, we foster student leadership with the Beaumonde Action Committee otherwise known as the BAC. Update of the BAC's activities can be found on the website under "Extra-Curricular"
STEM Extra-curricular
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
Throughout the year, there are opportunities to compete with schools across the board and city in the field of Science, Technology, & Mathematics. Announcements of such opportunities will be made during announcements, and posted on the site, also under "Extra-Curricular"
Please note I teach many classes.
For class 7A, 7B, 8A I teach the Science & Technology curriculum
For class 8B, I teach the Science & Technology, History, Geography, Visual Arts, and Computer curriculum
For 6A and 6B, I teach Computers and support Media Literacy
Student Leadership
As well, with a team of Middle school teachers, we foster student leadership with the Beaumonde Action Committee otherwise known as the BAC. Update of the BAC's activities can be found on the website under "Extra-Curricular"
STEM Extra-curricular
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
Throughout the year, there are opportunities to compete with schools across the board and city in the field of Science, Technology, & Mathematics. Announcements of such opportunities will be made during announcements, and posted on the site, also under "Extra-Curricular"
CELL PHONES & DEVICE POLICY
Are allowed for use in class with permission. Any student using a device when not permitted, or if using the device for purposes other than class work will have the device taken from them until their parent/guardian comes to pick it up. This is a ZERO-tolerance policy.
Grade 7 & 8 Visual Arts - An exploration of JUNK ART
Fiza from 7A spoke to me about doing Junk Art for our next exploration, so I embarked on my own journey into figuring out what that was. I found all kinds of cool and neat ways to explore up-cycling magazines, plastic spoons, old yellowing encyclopedias, among other types of 'junk' lying around in your home that just hangs out in that random corner of a drawer or closet. The students went creative crazy and came up with a huge variety of work in 2 and 3 dimensional forms. Some with deep philosophical meaning, others just for fun, and yet others as a test of patience and detail. Amazing! I am proud of your work and what you have accomplished! Here is a great sample. If I missed your artwork, please let me know and I can add it.
Our Grade 8s had a unique opportunity to participate in two different workshops on May 29, 2014. 8A's workshop focused on Kinetic and Potential energy in designing and engineering roller coasters, while 8B explored urban planning with a focus on the connection between natural and urban water systems.
Grade 7 & 8 Visual Arts - Exploring Cubism
Here is a collection of completed work from our grade 7 and 8 students. A study on cubism and techniques for cubist art. As you can see, there are a variety of takes on this always contemporary style of art that tests our perception and lets our imaginations go.
Gauss Math Test
The Gausse Math test is primarily for Grades 7 & 8 students who would like to see how they fare in a test that is conducted in schools across the country. The focus is to have fun, and also to develop their mathematical problem-solving skills. The test is NOT related to report card marks however, students could add their participation to their student resume.
Test date is May 14th, 2014 and will take place at Beaumonde Heights. Time to be determined.
The following link is a place where students who are competing (we have 31 from Beaumonde) can see what old contests look like and practice writing tests of the past.
Test date is May 14th, 2014 and will take place at Beaumonde Heights. Time to be determined.
The following link is a place where students who are competing (we have 31 from Beaumonde) can see what old contests look like and practice writing tests of the past.
As your teacher, you really only need to know one thing about me, I love Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus series! If I had a magic bus I would take you on learning journeys every day. My favourite teaching and learning quote comes from this show, "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!"