Interdisciplinary work, real-world problem solving, and authentic presentation of student work — these are among the core instructional practices for the Two Rivers Supervisory Union. All of these practices are on display in the annual GMUHS Battle Physics competition.
Every year since 2014, Allan Garvin’s High School Physics class and Becky Bushey’s Middle School Algebra students have joined forces to design and build a projectile launcher and compete for accuracy in hitting a variety of targets. This project takes several months to complete.
Students began in November, meeting in teams of 4 or 5 (one or two physics students team with 2 to 4 algebra students) to design their launchers. Students are required to come up with a minimum of three design possibilities, discuss the pros and cons of each design, and then settle on a plan.
On December 5, the teams delivered a presentation, describing their designs and explaining their choices, to a panel of “experts.” This year’s panel was Todd Parah (GM Facilities Director), Mike Ripley (GM Associate Principal), Dylan Bate (GM English Teacher) and Lauren Fierman (GM Principal). The panel gave each team written and verbal feedback on their designs and asked a series of questions (such as, “How will you be sure that you release each projectile with the same force?” and “What type and size of projectile will you use?”) to help guide the students as they prepared to build their launchers.
On December 9, the students (together with Mr. Garvin and Mrs. Bushey) traveled to Home Depot to purchase materials. Each team had a total of $50.00. They spend that money on material such as wood, PVC piping, and glue, as well as other items, to construct their devices — on tennis balls or ball bearings (to use as projectiles) — and on bungee cord, surgical tubing or bicycle tire pumps to deliver the force that sends those projectiles flying through the cafeteria to their designated targets.
Between now and early February, students will build and then test their devices. The GM competition will take place in early February. During the school competition, students strive to outscore the unbeaten team of Mr. Garvin and Mrs. Bushey. Whether or not the teachers are defeated this year, one student team will be named the top GM student team.
In March, several schools from around Vermont will join us for a multiple school competition. Plan on coming to see the tournament (dates will be available on the GM website soon). This is one of a very few opportunities available to see math in action!
Green Mountain is proud to be the host for a room full of Vermont middle and high school students as they furiously use algebra to calculate and recalculate trajectories and make necessary force adjustments in the pursuit of personal victory and school honor.
Lauren Fierman
Green Mountain Union High School Principal
Two Rivers Supervisory Union Blog 