Justin and his teacher, Steve Holmlund

Middle Grades Winner 
Steve Holmlund: Z-Axis, Rachel Carson Middle School Herndon, VA,
(Software: HyperStudio, Ulead PhotoImpact, IE, Cosmo Worlds VRML Browser)

Learning Outcomes for Z-Axis

1)  Learning Outcomes: A user of this project, The Z-Axis, will learn about geometrical concepts pertaining to graphing in three dimensions.  Real-world examples and an interactive game add concrete perspectives to an abstract concept.

2)  Curriculum Connection:  Virginia Standards of Learning in Geometry:            

G.12:  The student will make a model of a three-dimensional figure from a two-dimensional drawing and make a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object.  Models and representations will include scale drawings, blueprints, or computer simulations.-            

G.13:  The student will use formulas for surface area and volume of three-dimensional objects to solve practical problems.  Calculators will be used to find decimal approximations for results.

3)      Process:

a)  Justin met with me during 15-minute Activity periods (at lunch time) and worked under my supervision during after school club meetings and under the supervision of other teachers on his team on other dates after school.  He also worked somewhat on his home PC, but relied upon the school’s Macintoshes for access to this platform.

b)  Justin worked on this project by himself.

c)  Please see (a) above.

d)  Time constraints necessitated our meeting at every available opportunity.  During the week prior to submission, this prompted 4 days of time together.

e)  NA

f)  My role was as mentor/supervisor.  Justin is an extremely talented individual who fully grasps both the mathematical and technological concepts.

4)      Accomplishments:

a)  Justin learned the following through the creation of this project:

i)   As complete an understanding of HyperStudio as I’ve ever observed

ii)  The incorporation of 3D graphics using available tools that he found on the Internet

iii)  The challenge of rendering an abstract concept into concrete examples

b)  I learned (from Justin) about some of the 3D rendering tools available, and a couple of HyperStudio capabilities that I’d never seen before.

c)  I observed a student motivated and talented enough to thoroughly impress his teachers with his abilities. By supporting him with technical issues and monitoring his progress, I’ve again seen the value of “project-based learning”, where student initiative leads to teaching others.

5)  I add my permission to publish these remarks with The Z Axis.

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