Predict, Observe,
Hypothesise, Experiment,
Interpret, make a movie...
The Gravity Workshop usually follows the Gravity 3D show and if all of the challenges are completed, it is a complete day of integrated activities.
Age : 11 to 14 yrs
Number : Maximum 30 students, in up to 6 teams.
Time : around 5 hours
Gallery of workshop images : here
Gallery of 3D show images : here
Funding received from the Science & Technology Facilities Council
3D Show :
Gravity 3D Show : 50 mins
- Presenter lead realtime 3D Show, with voting system to enable audience interaction.
- Covers Newtonian Gravity, Life of Stars and Formation of the Universe.
- Inspires and Motivates
This 3D show starts with a series of virtual experiments that explain the basics of Newtonian Gravity. We then cover the formation of the universe and the part that Gravity, Dark Matter and Dark Energy played, using material from the Institute of Computational Cosmology at the University of Durham. The Final part of the show looks at the Life and Death of Stars. A voting system is used throughout the show to pose questions and capture responses.
Gravity Show information here
3D Show Requirements here
Over 3,000 pupils have already enjoyed this show.
Workshop :
Gravity Challenge : 30 - 40 mins
Roller Coaster Challenge : 75 - 90 mins
Movie Challenge : 90 - 120 mins
Final Presentation : 30 - 40 mins
This workshop is a science based digital media challenge that includes a series of hands-on activities.
Working as teams of 4 or 5 students, they start with some simple experiments that help in understanding gravity and motion. Then, they try an build the fastest roller coaster possible with the kit provided. During these activities, they are using the DV camera as a timing and analysis tool to capture and playback slowly, to help understand what is actually happening. For many of the activities, they are asked to predict what they think will happen, compare this to what actually happened and then interpret their results.
In the Movie Challenge, they create movies to explain what they have learned, using the footage they have already captured and new footage, graphics and animations etc; The final movies are then introduced by each of the teams and shown in Final Presentation.
You will find more detailed information in the Challenge Workbook that can be downloaded here :
Challenge Workbook 1 per team : 
GravityWorkshop5.pdf
Light & Heavy help sheet ( iMovie HD ) : LH HelpSheet HDa.pdf
Light & Heavy help sheet ( iMovie 08 ) : LH HelpSheet 08a.pdf
Team Names to print for labels : team names_8.pdf
Evaluation Sheet : 1 copy per student : 
evaluation1.pdf
Ball Cannon Target : target_b.pdf
Order of Experiments : order.pdf
Teams are named after scientists, who have made a contribution to our understanding of Gravity and its effects. Teams can also be asked to research their scientist and include this in their movie.
Teams Names : choose 6 from : Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Einstein, Hubble, Higgs, and Hawking
This workshop provides a real context for learning and promotes collaborative working, critical thinking, creativity and cross curricular links. It is essential that the teams plan ahead, share tasks, thoughts and ideas and work well together. Supports the Curriculum for Excellence.
Equipment Required :
Each team should be provided with :
DV Camera
Firewire/USB2 cable as appropriate
iBook/MacBook with iLife and iWork applications
access to additional computers with WWW and iLife and iWork applications
Team Table and chairs
Space Required for Workshops
The 3D show equipment (screen, projectors, etc) does need to remain set up for the duration of the visit.
If space allows, then it is possible that some of the workshop activities could also use the show space.
Please email us with rough sizes of the room and some photos would be helpful, if you intend to use the same room for everything.
Experiments :
Where there are 6 teams, there would usually be the following stations:
1 no Water Drop
1 no Light & Heavy
2 no Ball Lift
2 no Ball Cannon
It can be useful to have an extra Water Drop.
Water Drop :
Required :
Easily cleaned floor surface, that is ok if it gets splashed with a little water.
Space :
We provide a 1.5m dia pool to catch the spillage from the dropping bottle. 2m x 2.5m - 3m probably large enough for each station.
Light & Heavy
Preferred :
This is best in a space/room where light levels can be controlled to some degree, ie; have the lights off, and close blinds. This is to allow the DV camera shutter to remain open for the full 1/25 sec.
A wall that the meter stick can be taped or bluetacked to, can be helpful.
Space :
2m x 2.5m - 3m probably large enough for each station.
Ball Lift
Required :
Privacy, as it is important that other teams can't see how this challenge is solved.
Space :
2m x 2.5m - 3m probably large enough for each station.
Ball Cannon
Preferred :
There will be balls flying through the air, so should be a space where this will not cause a problem.
Space :
As large as possible, the balls will travel around 6-8m through the air.
Roller Coasters :
The roller coaster challenge is after the experiments and can reuse the same spaces.
Required :
A stack of 3 or 4 chairs to be used as the roller coaster starting point.
Space :
As you can see from the gallery, the roller coasters will vary in size and shape, but as a rough guide a space of around 3m x 3m, or longer, would be good for each team.
Where possible, the team table should be close to the teams roller coaster space. The space for this is additional.
Preparation
Teams :
The class teacher should provide a list of team members. Teams should be either of 4 (best) or 5 students and a maximum of 6 teams. Team names can be chosen from the list of scientists below:
Teams : Galileo, Newton, Kepler, Einstein, Hubble, Higgs, Hawking and Hulse-Taylor
It might be useful for the team, to have researched their scientist before they come.
Information :
It is useful for us to know in advance what level of iLife, iWorks or movie making experience the class/teams have, ie; None/Some/Experienced. This will allow us to organise "just-in-time" learning sessions if required.
Southern Tour Dates
20 - 24 Oct 08 : Leeds West CLC
15 - 19 Dec 08 : University of Durham
12 - 16 Jan 09 : St Helens CLC
26 -30 Jan 09 : Rawmarsh CLC /Magna
9 - 13 Feb 09 : TechniumCast, Bangor University, North Wales
23 - 27 Feb 09 : North Nottingham eLC
Funding received from the Science & Technology Facilities Council
Workshop Competition : Annual Prize
The top two teams from each day, will be given additional time, with agreement from the CLC/School, to rework their movie and complete an additional task, to compete for the annual prize against the top teams from all the other events.
At this point, prizes would be along the lines of :
For Best Team :
1st : either an engraved 4Gb iPod Shuffle or £50 in Amazon Vouchers for each team member.
2nd : either an engraved 1Gb iPod Shuffle or £30 in Amazon Vouchers for each team member.
3rd : £15 in Amazon Vouchers for each team member.
There will be a Trophy or Certificates for the Fastest Roller Coaster, Most Inventive/Exciting Roller Coaster, Best Documentary Movie and Best Promotional Materials.
We are now trying to raise additional funds to be able to bring the top teams together in a common venue for two days to do the Gravity & Roller Coaster Challenge Grand Final, judge the films and have the prize giving event.
If you are interested in taking part, or can help with a venue, funding or prizes, please do
contact us.
DIY
Below is the information for you to recreate this challenge yourself : Please note Still Draft
All of the equipment is easily and cheaply obtainable.
Do please let us know, if you use this workshop with your class, as we would like to hear how it goes and would be grateful for any suggestions you may have.
If you have ideas for other experiments or for modifications or extensions to the existing ones, please add them to the other experiments section or the comments.
If you would like to enter your school team for the competition, please contact us to register.
Challenge Workbook :
You can download the challenge work book here :
Challenge Workbook : GravityWorkshop5.pdf
Light & Heavy help sheet ( iMovie HD ) : LH HelpSheet HDa.pdf
Light & Heavy help sheet ( iMovie 08 ) : LH HelpSheet 08a.pdf
Team Names to print for labels : team names_8.pdf
Ball Cannon Target : target.pdf
Evaluation Sheet : evaluation1.pdf
Hands On Experiments : Basic Equipment
You need a DV Camera and a Mac or PC with video editing software and cable to connect them.
1) Water Drop -
reqd :
- small plastic water bottle with small hole in side and in top
- Large plastic bottle : to refill the small one from
- Optional : food colouring or poster paint to colour water
- Pool : to drop the bottle into and catch the water
- Foam pad to drop bottle on. Stop it bouncing.
We haven't had a problem with water, but you could always use :
- water proof sheets ?
- water proof for pupils?
2) Ball lift
reqd:
- 1 small ball
- 1 large plastic open necked round jar. Dimensions :
3 ) Ball cannon
reqd :
- ball cannon :
- batteries
- ping pong balls
- heavier balls (not much or they don't work)
- target - Bin
Ball Cannon Kit :
Electric Cannon by Middlesex University - Great Gizmos Science Craft Kits
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001N6YYGQ/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
We made our ball cannon more robust by using some extra bits from Maplin :
Plastic ABS Box :
Dimensions : L x W x H : 198 x 112 x 64 mm
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1689
Switch :
4) Heavy + Light Drop :
reqd :
- Metre Stick with LED's
- LED on light object
- LED on heavy object
- padded matt
Other Experiments :
Roller Coaster Challenge Equipment and Software:
Roller Coaster Kit :
Required Per Team
- SkyRail Roller Coaster (Quercetti) model 6430 with 150 pieces.
- Masking Tape.
- A stack of 4 or 5 chairs : for your starting point
Roller Coaster Kits & Cameras
We have been asked to provide information on both the roller coaster kits and the video cameras that we used for our recent events, both by teachers and pupils.
Roller Coaster Kit :
SkyRail Roller Coaster (Quercetti) model 6430 with 150 pieces.
Can usually be purchased from Amazon for around £16 - £20.
We bought extra kits so we could add some additional pieces and so we would have spares.
The track can be broken if treated roughly, however our kits have been used for 32 days of events and we have only needed to use the track from two spare kits for replacements.
Video Camera
Kodak Zx1 High Definition Video Camera.
Great camera for schools, simple to use, robust and no film to worry about. When shooting video it can be used in VGA, HD and HD60 modes. If using iMovie 06 (iMovie HD) it is best to use the VGA mode to avoid long waits when importing. Can also take reasonable still photos.
Comes with everything apart from a SD card. However, make sure you buy a fast SD card like the SanDisk Ultra II or better, or you can have audio sync problems. 4GB is a good size and reasonably priced at around £6 - £9.
We also found that some of the schools MacBooks wouldn't mount the camera with USB cable supplied but worked fine with a USB card reader.
Everything can be purchased from Amazon.
Please note, the above links are given for information only and the DLF can not be held responsible for any problems, should you decide to purchase. If you do use the above link to purchase the item, the DLF Educational Charity will receive a small contribution to its funds through the Amazon Associates program of between 5 and 10% of the purchase price, at no additional cost to you.
Alternative & Relay :
You can also do the challenge using a software roller coaster, costs much the same per item, but more difficult to do as teams..... However, if your teams are too large, or have uneven numbers, you can do both at the same time as a relay.... with one member of the team working on the software roller coaster, while the others build the kit, and change every 10 or 15 mins... with only a minute of overlap :-)
Software Roller Coasters :
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
Commercial game around £19
Information
NoLimits Coaster Simulation
Not as easy to use as RCT3, but also fewer restrictions.
Free download and demo, but save disabled. $29.95 for full version.
http://www.nolimitscoaster.com/
Notes & Links :
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