Finished Design

The seventh grade Design and Modeling students are finishing up with their old technology research project. The students have shared their project with the class, and reviewed and learned from the presentations created by their peers.

After the students reflect on their process, I will be assessing the presentations. This first assessment will show where the students are in terms of their understanding of design. It will show us all what the students need to be supported in, and where the students need to be challenged. The work the students are accomplishing now is setting the stage for larger, more complex projects in the future!

 Be sure to stay tuned in with twitter (@MrHron) for more updates and student content!

Treehouse Pivot

The fifth grade students are beginning to create their treehouses! Unfortunately, because Mr. Hron didn’t think about how to store 100 different model tree-houses around the room, the students will be creating their treehouses digitally.

However, the students will be offered the option to still create their treehouses on their own time, at home or outside of school. If your child asks, please support them in their endeavors. I can even send some supplies home!

As the students begin digitally creating their treehouses, I will be updating the process. Be sure to stay tuned in with twitter (@MrHron)!

Engineering Project Complete

The 8^th grade students are finishing up their very first project! The students have been working on a presentation they will share with the class, researching a specific engineering career. The students have researched their career, and designed, created, and evaluated their presentation. Now, it’s time to share.

A citation page from one student presentation.

Students will share their presentation with other classmates so that we can all learn from one @MrHron) and this website for updates!

another’s research. This is a common theme in our class – the work that we do in class extends beyond school. Students don’t do projects in this class just for a grade. There is always another audience, always another reason to create projects. Be sure to check in on twitter (

Introducing the Fridley Space Program

Here at Fridley Middle School, we have a space program. Yes, that is correct. The Fridley Space Program was founded two years ago. Last year a student in 7^th grade provided the Fridley Space Program with an excellent logo, which the students voted on. In the Fridley Space Program, students research, learn, and create flying vehicles, in an effort to add to the body of knowledge that humanity has accumulated about flight, and space.

This year, we are about to embark on our very first mission. The students have been researching and designing kites. This week, the students will be split into mission groups, and begin to create their very first vehicle for the Fridley Space Program – the kite. It’s an exciting time of the year, and it will be interesting to see how the students react to the challenges that they face. Stay tuned at our twitter (@MrHron) and website (mrhron.blogspot.com).

"Old" Technology Research

The seventh grade Design and Modeling students are beginning to start their very first design project! The students are researching an "old" technology, and determining how it has changed, and how it still affects society today. They will be designing a presentation from the research and knowledge they gain.

"Old" is a relative term. For this project, old means over 50 years ago. So any technology or
invention that was created for the first time before 1966, is fair game for students to choose from. Many students have chosen technologies that were invented in the 1950s and 60s, but a few students are going back, way back. Some students are challenging themselves by researching the very first mechanical watches, or even the very first pool! It will be interesting to see what the students come up with in their research.

Stay tuned for updates on twitter (@MrHron), and this website!

Robot Research and Design

The students in fifth grade now have three different designs under their belt. Their fourth, is going to be their most challenging yet. This time, they must design a Robot!

The focus for students is still on organizing labels and details. The students must design a robot that

can move on its own, make someone's life easier, and recharge its energy somehow. Not only must the students design a robot that can do those things, but the students must also begin to research the robots themselves.

Students will need to learn a little bit about different real-life robots, before they can design their own. They might need to research how robots move, or what their power sources are. This information that the students research will help in their design.

It will be interesting to see what the students come up with! Already, there have been some great designs this week. Stay tuned to the blog and twitter (@MrHron) for updates and pictures of the student work.