Trebuchets

This week in 8th grade math we are finishing collecting data for the trebuchet project.  For the last week the class has been going to the church gym and working in groups.  They are launching their trebuchet into the wall and collecting data about the height the projectile hit the wall at different distances.  We will do this for one more day and then we will spend the rest of the week using the data to create equations for the flight of the projectile through the air.

The 8th grade class will be participating in an exciting event on Tuesday, May 31st during math class.  A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Ashley Nelson about a great opportunity to work with her and The Fossil Foundation.  Fossil works closely with a company called Kiva that loans money to people around the world that are in need of help in some way or another.  Fossil is donating virtual loans to the students in the 8th grade class, and they will have the opportunity to pick a person or group to loan money to.  I think this is an exciting opportunity for the 8th graders to think outside the city of Chicago and more globally.