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<tr><td colspan="3" style="background-color: #efefef;">Message sent from San Francisco</td></tr>
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<b>Message From:</b> Jennifer Estrella<br>
<b>Context:</b> 0067 - Science 7 (Frances Ladue)<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Unit 4 is coming to a close!
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<p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Hello! And WHEW! What a busy couple of weeks it has been in 7th grade science. We completed our official building of our earthquake resistant structures this week. Some students came this past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to do their final building, and ALL groups in all classes finished building for the first time in awhile for me (Yes, there have been some groups that did not complete their structures in the past)! </span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Before all that, the students have been working with their groups to research, design and build a structure that will hopefully withstand our shake table. They will place about 250 grams (6 Hot Wheel cars) on their open air parking lot found on the top of their building. There were specific design requirements as well as limited supplies that the students are able to use. Some design requirements are a team flag that hangs at 50cm, four floors that are at least 10 cm in height and their parking lot. Supplies they get to use are 50 popsicle sticks, rubber bands, paper clips and paper. I've seen some groups have really good discussions, and really get into some math about their structure, and I've seen groups who didn't really communicate with each other well begin to talk with each other. This really required them to talk to each other, and have each person have a hand in the work. These structures were then tested on a shake table that one of our fellow teachers had built. We finished testing all the structures this week - we've had tears and cheers, and breakdowns with our shake table. BUT what a relief to have the group portion project done!</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">For the individual project, I have been telling students daily for the last three weeks to begin work on their individual project. This entails the student looking through maps we've shared in class to determine where they would put their structure within the Bay Area. They will then decide on what lesson we did in class that helped persuade them to their decision, and share their successes and challenges they had with their group, draw a rendered drawing of their structure and a short questionnaire! Students should show you a half sheet of paper that they are to complete with you to show their progress of the project. Please make sure to sign it and return it on their designated day (1st/3rd - block day, and 4th/5th/6th - on Monday). I expect them to have completed Part 1, 2, 3 and 4 at this point. Just so you are aware, they have been warned again today during class. This individual project is due on THURSDAY, 3/27/2025.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Then we'll wrap up the unit with our peer evaluations, setting up for our final unit (Yikes! Already!), and a brief introduction to Unit 5: Ecosystems and Human impact will happen when we return from break! Yay! Spring Break!</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and as always, please let me know if you have any questions/concerns and I'll try to reply back as soon as I am able to.</span></p><p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">Take care,</span><br>Mrs. Jennifer Estrella (she/her)<br>7th Grade Science<br>Herbert Hoover Middle School</p>
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