Project-‐Based Learning: Scale Models
“Design the Perfect Science Classroom”
Task: Working as a member of a design team, you are assigned to design and build the perfect science classroom. You are competing against other teams to “win the contract” of influencing the design of the science lab. Your audience is the school principal, the science teacher, and school board. The classroom is just an empty room, and you are to fill it with furniture, technology, and science equipment. The project must include the following elements (see grading rubric): 1. scale floor plan of the room and objects within it 2. perspective drawing illustrating the room in 3-‐D 3. 3-‐D Model 4. an inventory which outlines where the items are purchased and how much they cost
5. a written proposal 6. design file 7. presentation
Detailed Instructions: Brainstorm the ideal science classroom. Google ideas. Look at pictures. Discuss with others. Dream! Think outside the box! 1. Scale Floor Plan: Draw a scale drawing on graph paper or on the iPad of the classroom and the furniture. Include the scale on the drawing. Also include all mathematical calculations showing how you obtained your measurements. There are apps on the iPad that will help such as “MagicPlan”, “House Design,” or “PadCad Lite.” A sample is below:
2. Perspective Drawing: Include an “artist’s rendering” of the classroom. The “House Design” app has a 3-‐D mode. Otherwise, you can draw a 3-‐D perspective like the ones shown below:
Here is an example of both 2-‐D and 3-‐D perspective:
3. 3-‐D Model: Build a model of the room, to scale.
CONSTRUCTION OPTIONS: cardboard, tag board, foam core, colored paper, plastic, glue guns, and other supplies REQUIRED ELEMENTS: # include major furniture items like tables & storage units—chairs are not necessary # cut out openings for windows & doors 4. Inventory: Make a spreadsheet using Google Spreadsheet. Include the following information:
• Item/Quantity/Unit Price/Total Price/Vendor or Supplier • Labor Cost • The proposal should offer the most “bang for the buck” meaning whoever has the most useful/creative proposal for the best price may earn the contract.
• Include labor costs as applicable. 5. Written Proposal: Write a written proposal to your audience that persuades and convinces them that your plan is the best plan. Defend your argument with examples and evidence. The written proposal is your chance to: (1) explain all the advantages of your plan in detail, (2) sell your idea as the best one out there and persuade the review team to hire you. Your aim is to convince the prospective client that you’ve considered every possible need of theirs and will not only meet all their needs, but meet them brilliantly, or even exceed them. Refer to posted examples of professional proposals for ideas on layout, tone, content, and use of graphics. REQUIRED ELEMENTS:
# explain your vision for teaching and learning in the new science lab
# defend your building design decisions—explain how form follows function
# use a respectful, business-‐like tone—you’re proposing to spend a great deal of the school’s money
# include a cover page with company logo and names of members
# document must be word processed
# append the cost estimate and all other supporting document
6. Design File: This may be in digital/iPad form. The design file is a record of your problem-‐solving and creative process and a place to keep rejected ideas for potential revisiting. It contains hard evidence that you employed a systematic method to finding the best possible solution to the building design, site use, cost, and marketing problems. "
REQUIRED ELEMENTS: # building and site sketches, with brief notes on rejected ideas # notes from team meetings # rough drafts of written proposal and oral presentation 7. Presentation:
The objective of the oral presentation is to highlight the strengths of your proposal and convince your client that you can handle the job. Your potential client (the panel of architects) gets a sense for what it would be like to work with you by the competence and sincerity you express, and by how you answer their questions and respond to their needs. The oral presentation is the architects’ first impression of you, and often a lasting one. Experience shows that first impressions tend to die hard—a strong can create a deficit that is difficult to overcome even with a strong proposal. PRESENTATION OPTIONS: # you decide how many team members will make the presentation, but whomever # feel free to use KeyNote/Apple TV or any other appropriate audio/visual aids " REQUIRED ELEMENTS: # each team member, whether presenting or not, must be introduced to the architects # you are limited to 10 minutes to explain your proposal, which will be followed by 5 minutes of questions from the architects # you must prominently display the site plan, floor plan(s), perspective drawing, and scale model # whomever presents must be able to answer any question asked by the architects—team members who remain seated are not allowed to chime in from their seats in the audience.