CO2 Dragsters

 CO2 Dragsters

   According to the Oxford Dictionary, "technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry."  Now, our class is focusing on computer-type technology, but as educators, we use various technology.  This week I was definitely pushed out of my comfort zone.  Our school hosted a week of passion projects, which had the students choose an activity an educator was hosting, and the students will learn about that activity.  I wasn't sure what to host, so my principal asked me to co-host the CO2 Dragsters with her, and I agreed.  Unfortunately, she got pulled into another activity, leaving me to teach the students about a subject that I only understood theoretically. 

    The students were required to take a triangular piece of wood and carve it into a car for the dragsters.  Holes had to be drilled for the axles, tires were attached, and the cars were painted.  Once the vehicles were constructed, the track had to be laid out, CO2 tanks inserted into the cars, the firing mechanism manipulated and continuously adjusted.  Plus, come to find out, the kits purchased for us were of poor quality, which caused numerous issues.  Tires were breaking, bushings were smaller than the axle, the holes in the tires were smaller than the axle, and the wood was pine instead of balsa (pine is denser and more substantial).  Basically, things were failing, and I didn't have the schema to problem solve quickly.  Thankfully, I had a coworker able to jump between projects and help me out.  She showed me how to set up the track, and I watched my coworker use different power tools to help the kids carve the cars (and planned a few days this summer to learn how to use all of the tools).  She also pulled some of her middle and high school students who had made dragsters before to help my elementary students.  With their help, we successfully built 15 dragsters, and my students were able to race their cars at the presentation of learning night. 

    As I said before, this project wasn't focusing on computers (of course, I used to present videos of dragsters).  Still, we use different technology in our school to support a well-rounded education.  The passion projects aim to allow students to explore topics not typically taught in classrooms to find a passion for wanting to learn more.  Many students that don't excel in the classroom excel during the passion projects.  Some see an interest that helps them do better at the school, and the teachers get more insight into these students to support them in the classroom.  This week was crazy, frustrating, and humbling for me, but seeing the kids so excited to see their cars race made it worthwhile.  Below, you will see some of their work!