Learning+Contract

Bridge Building - Independent Study  Learning Contract

Bridge building is a three-week unit that is part of Mrs. Haygood's nine-week Science Olympiad class. This unit will introduce students to the various types of forces that act upon structures, such as a bridge, and how engineers design bridges to withstand the stress of the forces. Students will also learn about different types of bridges and how each bridge is effected by different forces. The cumulating project is for students to choose a famous bridge to construct a model using Knex and then conduct a case study on that famous bridge.
 * __Unit Description__**

All assignments are listed on the Assignment page of this wiki (navigation bar on the right of the screen). Due dates for each assignment is provided on the Assignment page. A 10% deduction of points to each assignment grade will be given for each day the assignment is late. Ex: 5 days late = 50% deduction of points.
 * __Assignments and Grading__**

A rubric for each assignment is provided on the Rubric page of this wiki. The graded rubric and qualitative feedback will be provided within 48 hours of assignment completion through email. **It is the student's responsibility to email Mrs. Haygood (ehaygood@homeoftheshamrocks.org) to alert her that an assignment is completed.** Failure to do so will result in late work.

All assignments must be completed to receive credit for this unit. An incomplete will be given until all work is complete. Students who submit incomplete or unsatisfactory work will be asked to resubmit the assignment. So do it right the first time! Remember, BSMS students are expected to produce beautiful work at all times. Students will have choice as to the bridge model and media used for presentation for the cumulating project.

Homeschool students have the option of completing the work individually, or with another homeschool student. However, each student is responsible to complete and turn in all assignments. That means each student will have their own blog where they record their own reflections. Two students may work together to build the bridge model, but each student must conduct their own case study for the bridge.

All students will be required to answer questions or reflect upon their learning using a WordPress blog. These blogs will only be used for this unit's assignments. If students would like to continue to blog about other projects or about their personal life, they need to sign-up for another blog. Anything found inappropriate for school on the blog, will be referred to the principal. Remember the acceptable use policy signed at the beginning of the year regarding computer use.
 * __Student Blogs__**

Students will need to use Knex kits to complete the hands-on assignments and to build their bridge model. Each kit has a Student Reader, which contains all the reading materials and building challenges the students will be required to work on. Students will need to check-out a kit from Mrs. Haygood at the beginning of this unit and then return the kit within 5 days of completing the unit. There is a check-in and check-out list in each kit. It is the student's responsibility to check all contents and make any note of missing items when they check-out the kit. Mrs. Haygood will go through the same process with the student present when checking-in the kit. Any materials missing from the kit will result in a charge to the student. Prices of lost materials will be used from the Knex website. An added cost of shipping and handling will be added to each material order Mrs. Haygood must submit to restock the kits and is the responsibility of the student.
 * __Knex Kits__**

I agree to the following learning conditions:
 * __Citizenship and Work Habits__**
 * I agree to follow our class ground rules.
 * I agree to complete my work on time.
 * I agree to do my personal best.


 * Student's signature: || Date: ||
 * Parent's signature: || Date: ||
 * Teacher's signature: || Date: ||