Suspension Bridges--weekly Wrap up 2-26-16

We had a beautiful week, with the weather hitting the 70's:)  We loved it.  We went to see the Ice sculpture festival in a town about an hour away.  While the artist struggled with their ice sculptures we enjoyed a beautiful day out!

This was Firedrakes favorite

MarioFan's favorite

We enjoyed a nice lunch outside

This week for science MarioFan and I have been working on understanding how bridge suspension cables work and we of course did a few experiments:)

I took 20 gauge wire and made a few examples--hard to see but one is a single wire, one is a single wire that has been twisted, and the last one with a band of 6 single twisted wires all twisted together to form a thick cable

Using a can of soup (approx 1 lb) we tied the can to each wire  and predicted it the wire would support the can on its own.  The single strand of  wire is shown here and MarioFan could barely lift the can off the table 

Next we used the single twisted band and noted the results a little better not still not good

Finally the banded cable wires--while it did the best it still needed even more support so we got to building another thick wire cable 

we made a few more twisted wires from a single strand of 20 gauge wire

Using our drill twisted them together 

We added this banded cable to the other banded cable to make an even stronger cable which is what engineers to for suspension bridges. (excuse my face I was worried the wires would snap and hit me in the face)

added insulation around the 2 wires cables and hang the can and noted the results which was perfect.  No bend in our wires what so ever!

We compared our mini model to the pictures in the book and what we noted while watching a mini you tube video on this process.

We also watched the documentary on the Brooklyn bridge we found on you tube.  Watched a video on what happens if a suspension bridge fails ie. Galloping Gertie.  MarioFan also read the book

Next we got to work building our models of Suspension bridges!  First MarioFan made a K'nex bridge

Then we made a different suspension bridge using another kit I bought.

building the road way

setting up the string to make the cables 

we used a foam board to place our bridge on as we will be taking this to a project fair this spring

our completed suspension bridge

 Next we will be learning about Truss Bridges and we will be building several truss bridges including a candy bridge:)!

Weekly Wrap up 2-19-16

This week we went on a Field trip to visit a Mormon Ward Church.  We are continuing our education on learning about different types of religions.  We have been learning about the Mormon faith during our history lesson since we are studying the mid 1800's.  We were not able to visit the Large Mormon Temple located in the city as it is consider sacred and only Mormons can enter, we were invited to one of their annexes and given a tour and a brief history of the Mormon faith.We learned a great deal and enjoyed our visit

We met several young men who were missionaries assigned to this districts.  They were super in regards to explaining their faith and answering questions  They explained their roles as missionaries and requirements. I was surprise to hear they could only contact their families once a week by email and FaceTime their parents 2 X a year.

We were shown thoughout the facility-- this is the genealogy room.  It was explained to us that family is a very important part of this faith not just those here on earth but those who have past to heaven.  It was explained that if you came to find out a person in your past who wasn't baptized as Mormon that a Mormon family could  request a special baptism which is held at the Temple.  We were also told that baptisms were up to the  spirit to accept. 

Here was a portrait of Brigham Young with pioneer children.  We were told about the history of the Mormon church and how their beliefs got started with Joseph Smith the founder 

Portrait of a Mormon Temple in Navoo, Illinois that was burnt down in the late 1800's due to prejudice against the Mormon faith.  It has been rebuilt and remains standing to this day.  We were told of several percussion stories of what the early Mormons went through

The Ward Library for the congregation

The current Leader of the Mormon Church Thomas Monson who the Mormons believes is a living prophet and he resides in Utah.    

We were told there are 3 parts to the services.  One part is the sacrament, and that water was used instead of wine.  The next part would be an hour spent separating men and women to continue with teaching based on what each of the sexes need.  The third part would be Sunday school.  We were told there are no crosses in their Church as they prefer to concentrate on Christ's life rather than his death.  

We had a great visit and learned a great deal about this faith.  Many questions were answered!

Our local coop had a Valentines party.  We had no idea how creative everyone was going to be with their Valentines boxes.  I had to take pictures and show you some of these remarkable creations

an aircraft carrier so impressive

a ninja

toothless the dragon

a minion

Trophy

bear

computer screen

train

pokemon

we saw several Dr Who telephone booths and robots and a pig

a birthday cake

a unicorn

a girl robot 

a rocket ship and a mystery box:)

Ninja Turtle

I thought this was was impressive it even wore real shoes:)

MarioFan opted out of creating  box to collect Valentines -- But if we attend next year we know we have our work cut out for us!

There were crafts for the kids to do 

Kids played bingo and every kid won a prize!  And of course there was tons of food for all the kids to eat.

The entertainer for the show was a Ventriloquist who had the kids in stitches with his skit

MarioFan was called up to help with the show:)

We had a great time at the Valentine party!  We haven't been slacking on our school work, we are getting lots done which I will update you on next week!