Flight and Space 10/13

Hello Families!

Currently in flight and space, the students are beginning their very first construction project of an aerospace vehicle. We discussed in class what an aerospace vehicle is (a vehicle that can fly in both air or space), and the first vehicle we are creating is a kite! Now this isn’t just any ordinary kite, this is a structurally sound kite that will fly very well, and survive high speed impacts, if created correctly.

There are two big learning focuses for this project. The first focus is learning to work in a group. This is a life-long skill that is very important, as students will be collaborating with their peers in middle school, high school, college, and the workforce. The second learning skill is problem solving. The students are being challenged to become self-sufficient learners! If the students run into a problem, I am challenging them to use their resources and find an answer themselves. The biggest reminder I give them—it is encouraged that they make mistakes!

Design and Modeling 10/7

Hello Families!

Currently, in Design and Modeling the students are working hard on a very important question. How have technologies from the past affected society? History is littered with technologies that have caused paradigm shifts in the way humans have lived their lives. From the printing press, to the X-ray, to the water purifier, students are discovering what these technologies are, and how they impacted the people of this world. There is a lot of learning getting done!

Eventually, students will be taking this knowledge and applying it to a newer technology. This is an important aspect to how we live our lives today. New technologies are invented frequently, and sometimes these technologies change our lives in very important ways. Google was created less than 20 years ago, and Facebook was created only 11 years ago. Yet in less than a decade in both cases, these technologies have become an integral part of many people's lives. Students will be researching and trying to find out how new, innovative technologies will affect us all in the future.

Guess What This Is (Microscope Pictures from 7th Grade Science)

Slide A

In 7th grade science we have been working hard on our microscope skills. Last week, we had our very first microscope exploration day. Students were able to bring in small objects from home that they wished to view under a microscope. Then in class the students prepared their slides, and began to work on their science sketching skills while]viewing the different slides of objects brought from home.

There were some very interesting images last week! I didn't realize this, but it is fairly easy to take pictures through the lens of a microscope with a smartphone camera. This is great news, because now I get to share some of the more interesting slides with all of you! Included in this post are three slides I was able to take pictures of (my picture quality will improve as I do more of these). Feel free to guess what each of these objects are (and if you follow my twitter, don't spoil it for others)! The answers will be listed below.

Slide B

Slide C

AnswersSlide A: Highlighter Ink (yellow)
Slide B: A stamp (postage, American flag)
Slide C: Some hair a student found on the ground

Automation and Robotics 10/1

Currently in Automation and Robotics, the students are beginning their very first project! Our first project takes place with two parts. The first part, is research and information gathering. Students will be researching what an engineer’s role is in developing and innovating technology. This will lead us into some very conceptually big questions, such as how technology can increase human capability, and how technology impacts our lives, and the lives of others.

The students will then be displaying this research in the second part of the project, which is to build a website! We will be using Weebly, a free online web service to create our websites. The students will be working on this for at least two more weeks, when we will review our websites and reflect what we did well, what we could have done better, and share our websites with others! Be sure to check in this classroom website frequently, as more student projects and creations will be added as the year goes on!

Flight and Space 9/17

Hello Families!

In Flight and Space, we are just finishing up some of the "business" we need to attend to in our classes, like setting up our network accounts and emails. Starting next week (9/21), we will begin working on our very first skill--research! Students will be working on this skill to supplement the experience and knowledge they already gained, to learn more about the history of human flight! As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: james.hron@fridley.k12.mn.us

Welcome to a New School Year

Welcome Families!

We are all very excited for another great year at FMS! Specifically, we are excited to introduce to you Mr. Hron's PLTW classroom website! The students have had a chance to explore the website, and hopefully you have heard about the website as well.

This website will be an area for you to explore the great things Fridley Middle School students are creating in Project Lead the Way. Periodically, I will post articles, pictures, and information about the different PLTW classes, as well as student work. This website is a great way to find out what is going on in your student's class!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. My contact information can be found at the Fridley Public School's website.

Open House

Welcome, Families, to Open House!

This is going to be a spectacular year in Project Lead the Way (PLTW). There are so many exciting things going on!

I am sure you have a lot of questions. This website is going to be the central hub for all PLTW news, information, pictures, video, and even homework in Mr. Hron's class! If you are ever unsure of what is going on in your child's class, or have a question about recent homework, this is the place to check! Of course, you may also contact me at my email, which is listed below.

james.hron(at)fridley.k12.mn.us

I teach 3 different Project Lead the Way Classes. They each analyze a different area of technology, although they are all connected in the exploration of how technology affects society. The curriculum maps of each class are linked below.

Automation and Robotics

Design and Modeling

Flight and Space

Again, if you have any questions, feel free to ask! Otherwise, feel free to explore the site, and get ready for an excellent school year!