Axis STEM Summer Assignment 2017
Overview:
In an effort to push students to work outside the traditional confines of academics, we would like you to start your Axis experience with some creation and innovation. We challenge you to build a functional musical instrument out of everyday (non-musical) objects.
This hands-on summer assignment has many goals. The goal of the creative component is to present a well-designed, functional product that not only performs accurately but also exemplifies your unique design and best work. The goal of the performance component is to both prove your product’s functionality and to introduce yourself to the core. You will also complete a writing prompt that documents your innovation process for the instrument and the greater role of innovation in American history.
We are looking forward to seeing your best, most creative work.
Details:
Writing Prompt:
Part 1: Reading Response
Read closely: What Was the Greatest Era for Innovation? A Brief Guided Tour by Neil Irwin
In a short essay (no more than two pages) respond to the following questions:
Part 2: Edison Moment
Write two paragraphs describing the design and development process you used in creating your musical instrument. The first paragraph should explain in detail how you created your instrument including materials and construction. The second paragraph should explain your “Edison Moment.” (“Edison Moment” refers to points where your instrument ‘failed’ and the changes you made to overcome this ‘failure’.)
Evaluation:
- each of the criteria below will be scored as Outstanding, Acceptable, or Poor
Functional self-made instrument
Writing Prompt
Demonstration of your instrument
We are looking forward to seeing your creations!
In an effort to push students to work outside the traditional confines of academics, we would like you to start your Axis experience with some creation and innovation. We challenge you to build a functional musical instrument out of everyday (non-musical) objects.
This hands-on summer assignment has many goals. The goal of the creative component is to present a well-designed, functional product that not only performs accurately but also exemplifies your unique design and best work. The goal of the performance component is to both prove your product’s functionality and to introduce yourself to the core. You will also complete a writing prompt that documents your innovation process for the instrument and the greater role of innovation in American history.
We are looking forward to seeing your best, most creative work.
Details:
- Create a musical instrument out of household objects that uses a mechanism to produce or modify the instrument’s sound. This mechanism must be some moving part that creates or influences the sound.
- Ex. A piano uses a “mechanism” when the musician pushes the keys which cause hammers to strike strings.
- Ex. A piano uses a “mechanism” when the musician pushes the keys which cause hammers to strike strings.
- Bring your functional instrument on the first day of school and be able to perform the song “Happy Birthday to You.” You should also be ready to explain how you made it.
- Bring a typed and printed copy of the writing prompt to turn in.
Writing Prompt:
Part 1: Reading Response
Read closely: What Was the Greatest Era for Innovation? A Brief Guided Tour by Neil Irwin
In a short essay (no more than two pages) respond to the following questions:
- Which innovation has made the greatest impact on American life? Explain your thinking in detail.
- What is a common thread you see in the descriptions of innovation throughout the decades?
Part 2: Edison Moment
Write two paragraphs describing the design and development process you used in creating your musical instrument. The first paragraph should explain in detail how you created your instrument including materials and construction. The second paragraph should explain your “Edison Moment.” (“Edison Moment” refers to points where your instrument ‘failed’ and the changes you made to overcome this ‘failure’.)
Evaluation:
- each of the criteria below will be scored as Outstanding, Acceptable, or Poor
Functional self-made instrument
- Your instrument is made out of non-musical objects that demonstrate repurposing on your part.
- Your instrument allows for adequate tonal control, meaning you must be able to play eight different notes on your instrument.
- The function of your instrument is the result of a mechanism composed of moving parts that that produces or modifies the instrument’s sound.
Writing Prompt
- Clear written expression
- Reference to specific details/evidence
- Ability to identify common threads in different case studies/examples/eras
Demonstration of your instrument
- Bring your instrument and be able to demonstrate how it works
- Be able to play “Happy Birthday to You” on your instrument.
We are looking forward to seeing your creations!
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