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eie 2016
Shodor > SUCCEED > Workshops > Archive > eie 2016

Levi introduced the concepts of expectation, observation, and reflection. He then related these to the scientific method. Then, Levi brought up the idea of information gathering and trustworthy ways to gather information. The students described how they determine what sites are reliable and what information they would use. Levi then posed the question of how to determine the ratio between the mass of Earth and the mass of Pluto. The students presented different ideas about how they would go about finding the ratio. The students then developed an algorithm for determining the ratio. In their algorithm, they first searched the mass of Earth. They each then recorded the mass of the Earth given in one of the first nine options for websites. They then discussed the difference between the numbers they each obtained. They then repeated these steps searching the mass of Pluto. After concluding and finding the ratios using each of the values given for the mass of Earth and the mass of Pluto, the differences were noted. After break, the students were handed unopened boxes of straws, pencils, and rulers. Before opening the boxes of straws, Levi discussed the meaning of objective and subjective. The students then compiled a list of words that are seen on the box and categorized them as subjective or objective. Their lists were discussed and compiled into one master list. Then, the students counted the total number of straws in their box of straws and measured 5 straws each for their length and width. The students discussed the differences between the promised number of straws, 50, and the received number of straws. The fact that these were all in the objective category when they were originally categorized called into question whether these seemingly factual figures were truly objective. The students then moved to Microsoft Excel. Levi explained the meaning of the if, then, else statement. The students then used an if, then, statement, in Excel to replicate a coin flip. Levi went on to teach the students how to execute this same action ten times. Then, the students learned how to count the number of tails using Excel and why this is number is not exactly five. Levi then demonstrated, on the board, how to create a model that demonstrates how heat spreads in Excel. The morning ended with students working on their reflections before dismissing for lunch.