Can I make something without thinking at all?
Can I make something that doesn't serve a purpose - knowing the purpose might be beauty, taking up time or fidgeting?
If I make something, and THEN reflect on it, how does it fit into curriculum?
If my teacher allows me to "make" but controls time, parameters, materials, does that fit into curriculum?
This biggest reflection is exactly how to design a lesson that gives students flexibility, allows them to have choice and includes a maker mindset/design thinking.
I started with curriculum objectives from 5th grade Science and the topic of movement. Thinking what I wanted to make was a simple version of kinetic wind art....and wouldn't it be a bonus if I could harvest the wind power to possible power a water feature for my yard.
See this article for more details
I quickly realized how much learning/thinking I did this morning just trying to wrap my head around this project. The primary question is, what allows objects to move in multiple directions. I still don't have the answer to the question, actually. I'm thinking several sets of ball bearings and thinking to actually make this work would require some hands on.
Just that simple question, was deep enough. I'm not sure exactly what additional content objectives will be covered, but I am sure that there will be lots of experimentation with adhesives, materials, and shapes of blades, to get the end result I'm looking for.
