High Tech High - Project Based Learning

Today's Machines

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Activities

Timeline

 See Appendix VI.1 for project timeline.

Project Narrative

  1. Select a machine from today.
  2. Select a part of that machine that is integral to its use and research its origin and original uses. (If there is no such part, students research the person who discovered the knowledge that allows their machine to work.)
  3. Research the lifestyles of the inventors of the part or discovery and prepare to show in the documentary why the invention was necessary to their way of life. (See Appendix VI.2 for a form for students to use during their initial trip to the university library. This form helps students decide whether there is enough information available to continue with their idea.)
  4. Create a documentary using still photos and voiceover technologies. During the creation of the documentary, the student is responsible for the following:
    1. Find pictures to use in the documentary
    2. Obtain permission from the person or company that owns the copyrights to the pictures (no picture may be used without written consent from the copyright holder.)
    3. Write a script for the documentary. Possible pre-script writing activities:
      1. research paper
      2. read and analyze excerpts from a play
      3. watch all or parts of a documentary together in class
      4. students script a normal everyday event (e.g., script the conversation at the dinner table.)
      5. write a script that has a narrator and a main character but the main character is limited to the use of a single word.
    4. Create a storyboard for the documentary
      1. Watch a cartoon in class and have the students find examples of perspective (e.g., close up, extreme close up, wide angle, etc.)
      2. Watch a documentary and discuss the methods by which pictures enter and leave the screen. Ken Burns' documentaries serve well for observation and analysis.
      3. Teach the basic storyboard vocabulary (slug line, action line, dialogue, etc...)
      4. Create a short storyboard to match the "everyday event" script from the script writing activity listed above.
    5. Put together the pictures and voiceovers using Flash multimedia technology.
    6. Edit the script and documentary
    7. Engage in peer critique activities (See Appendix VI.3)
    8. Write a research paper to accompany the movie stating the research findings and origins of your apparatus
    9. Burn the final product onto DVD