Odyssey 678 Classrooms - Odyssey Program K-8 School - Portland, Oregon

Time Travel and a Large Format Printer!

12/3/2014

By Owen
For the TIME MACHINE project, each team has to create a time travel package to Medieval Times based on a theme. One example includes the evolution of the legal system in the middle ages, which puts the “time tourist” at the signing of the Magna Carta one day and a visit to King Edward I’s Model Parliament the next. Each team member had to create and plan a day in history around a big event. That member has to do a planning page, create an itinerary, make a flyer with images and other information. The team had to write and film an infomercial, with each day explained. The team also had to make a brochure, with 6 panels. Each team also had to make a poster, with a special template for a 24 by 36 inch poster on the new large format printer, an HP Designjet T120. It prints to all regular paper sizes up to 13 X 19 as well as a 24 inch roll banner print. The printer was provided by a grant from Donors Choose and was funded by Chevron Oil. We found or made an image, and made that the main background. We then used text boxes for our headlines and slogans.

The Battle of Crecy: Superior Fire Power Wins the Day

12/2/2014

The victorious English

by Rachel and Eden
This week, we learned about the Hundred years’ war, which took place between the French and the English between 1337 and 1453. This was not 100 years of full-on warfare, but there was only one cause that they were fighting for, and battles occurred every few years. One important battle in this war was the Battle of Crécy.
In order to simulate and better understand this battle, we were divided into groups. ⅔ of the students were the French, who outnumbered the English in the real battle by at least 8,000 men. The other third were English. Rubber-band slingshots were given to the French, as the French had standard weapons for that time. As English, we were given Nerf long bows and wooden slingshots to show how the English had great advances in technology. We donned science goggles as we began the battle.

As the French marched into the classroom, we realized how badly outnumbered we were—in the Battle of Crécy, the French outnumbered the English by nineteen to seven. However, numbers proved to be of little help against the advanced technology of the English. As the French marched forward, they were hit by foam pellets and ping-pong balls, and they realized that they did not stand a chance.

The French attempted to flee, but with Mr. Damon blocking the way, the casualties were numerous and often. By modeling this experience in our classroom, we realized that even if you are outnumbered by an enormous force, long bows can prove to be very efficient. The French may have believed that they were marching to victory, but brute strength a victor does not make.

The vast French army

3-D Printing Comes to Odyssey - Finally!

11/20/2014

Today a group of students stayed after school to work on constructing the 3D printer that was shipped earlier this week. They assembled the printer with the assistance of Mr. Ross Brown, (Amos’ Dad) and after initial setup, we printed a tiny bird cage with a little bird inside. This took about 23 minutes to complete. The extruder, the printer part which melts and feeds the plastic, heats to 230 degrees Celsius (446 degrees Fahrenheit) when in use. We look forward to using this in the classroom. (Note: The heated parts are enclosed in the metal and pexiglass housing of the printer for safety.) Many thanks to Mr. Brown for the untold hours he has donated to this project. He assisted students all last year with the kit-build of a 3-D printer that we are still working on. The new printer promises to get students up and running in the 3-D printing business immediately.

Twelfth Night Performance Contract

11/12/2014

If your child is planning to audition for the play on December 2 and 3rd, or participate in sound or stage crew, we need a signed permission form from you. You can download, read, print and sign a copy using this link: 678 performance contract. Return signed copies to Ms. Rothwell.

NASA Scientist and Stanford Researcher Visits Odyssey

11/7/2014

by Lev and Martin
Today, the students of Odyssey 678 were surprised with a special visit from a guest speaker, Elysse Grossi-Soyster, a Senior Research assistant in the Virology and Parasitology Lab at Stanford University and consultant a for NASA. Because of her many experiences in the fields of science and technology, she was able to give students a glimpse of what it’s like to study the diseases of Chikungunya and Dengue. These are viruses caused by mosquitoes who carry the disease to humans when they suck our blood. At this time, students were studying infectious diseases in science and so this supplement was very interesting to hear about.

by Pete
Students learned about the future of long term space missions and renewability. One problem during space missions is managing waste. Students learned some of the astonishing methods of renewing energy in space, such as converting urine into methane fuel power the spaceship! Elysse explained the use of a 3D printer to make food out of basic food substances like fats and carbohydrates, which could play an important role in reproducing food out of lab grown materials, and students asked questions and took notes throughout the presentation.

Odyssey Crusades Symposium

11/7/2014

Richard the Lionhearted Defends Actions in Holy Land

by Sol
Richard the Lionhearted made the case for his military actions in the Holy Land before an audience of historians in the Odyssey Auditorium Thursday.
"I was the leader of the third Crusade. I led Christian men into battle and I managed their every move. During the Crusades, many illnesses and plagues struck our people and there were perils of the journey that slowed our pace dramatically, treacherous rivers, steep mountains, deep lakes and savage animals. We had to worry about a lot of different things, and being the leader was difficult, but I know I had to lead them for a cause we all believed in. The Crusades were something that my wife, Berengaria, and I strongly believed in. In fact I met her during my first Crusade, and she always feared for me. My parents, King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, showed their support for me to lead the Crusades. Although we never recaptured Jerusalem as we had hoped, we came back with a piece of the Holy Cross, bringing hope back to our land."

Saladin Challenges Historians to Rethink Crusades

by Maya
Saladin challenged historians to rethink the actions of Crusaders in the Holy Land as he recounts experiences he had during the Crusades.
"As a child, I was personally affected by the First Crusade. I know the pain of hearing the cries of the tortured, the screams of innocent women and children. I understand how terrible the Crusades were, and how much one cruel action can ruin your life. What is most upsetting is how, as a military general, I was very hospitable to the Crusaders, offering supplies and help, but they refused to accept my kind offers. This ‘Crusade for God' seems to be a crusade for yourselves. God doesn't desire the money or the lives you’ve taken from us. I was forced to fight back when the Crusaders committed these evil deeds towards my people. I tried so hard to protect my people against these ruthless men. I did not want a war, I just wanted my people to be safe!"

Knights Clash in Joustpardy Match

10/22/2014

Ireland and the Kingdom of Leon compete to answer a question in a test of wits and brawn. The winner of the Joust is eligible to answer question on the game board. Answer correctly and earn a quick 1500 florins. Get it wrong and you lose the same amount. Not a bad way to prepare for the midterm.

Compound Microscopes Put to the Test

10/17/2014

by Sidney Gaab
The new compound microscopes have arrived! Today during science they were put to the test while looking at pond water and hair. Before putting all of these things under the microscope we had to learn about the different parts of it and how they worked. Thanks to the USB port in the eye pieces we could hook the microscopes up to computers and take pictures on them. Finding the different colors and thicknesses of the hair had some people rather surprised. While examining the pond water, we looked for microbes and after finding many dead plants and clumps of dirt, the microbes wiggled into sight and some amazing pictures were taken. This mini grant was funded by Chevron through donorschoose.org.

Parent / Teacher / Student Conference Schedule

9/24/2014

Wednesday, October 29th
Thursday, October 30th

Parent / Teacher / Student Conference Schedule 2014
If you have already completed the survey to reserve your conference time, please check that we have accurately recorded your time on the schedule linked above.

If you have not completed the survey, please follow the link below to reserve your time.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences Survey 2014
Please address your questions or concerns to Ms. Brinks-Detzer

12th Night Performance Volunteer Sign-up

9/17/2014

Our performances are so successful because of the hard work of our dedicated volunteers. Please indicate which volunteer positions you would be interested in and the dates and times of availability.

We need people to assist in the following areas:

Costumes - sewing, shopping, student fittings, organization
Props - shopping, organizing backstage area and prop shelves
Volunteer Co-ordinator - Create email group, liaise with director and update parents and students regarding scheduling and updates
Snack Co-ordinator - organize parents and snack deliveries
Programs and/or Posters
Advertising and Media
Homework club supervision - keep an eye on students who are not on stage and oversee homework completion
Production assistant
Backstage management - organize student stage crew and supervise at some rehearsals and performances
Sets - painting and construction

If you are interested please follow this link to the 12th Night Performance Volunteer Survey.