This looks like a fun project to run with as an extension activity for any students over the span of term 3 by a QLD friend from QUT. Margaret has asked us to consider joining in and mentioning around your networks. <br><br>
Some of the cool web2.0 elements of social networking that they have built into the project are impressive. Our school is putting together a team and I have created a special LandYacht Moodle group to help them organise their thoughts and plans. :-)
<br><br>Regards Roland<br><br><blockquote><font size="3">The oz-TeacherNet -
<a href="http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au</a> - is launching an exciting new
project, <i>Land Yachts, </i>for students in Years 4-7. Join us from July
30, 2007 for the first time this project will run and be one of the pilot
schools who take part in our first
<a href="http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au/projects/yachts/guidelines/raceday" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
<b>Big Race Day</b></a> on September 7, 2007. We are hoping that this
becomes a regular event on our calendar and we have already had some
interest from schools outside of Australia.</font><br><br><font size="3">
Land Yachts, a project suggested on the oz-teachers list by a teacher in
Brisbane, will address the Key Learning Areas of Technology, Science, and
Mathematics. Students will work in groups of three to four to build a
Wind-powered Land Yacht powered by an electric fan. Although we
will find the land yacht which travels the longest distance on the Race
Day, this is not a competitive event and all students will receive a
certificate for their participation.</font><br><font size="3">
</font><br><font size="3">
During the design and development phase of the challenge, each team will
keep a blog of their progress and upload photos to share with the 'land
yacht' community. Each team will also be required to gather and record
data during the construction and testing of their yachts and share this
data with other teams via the otn/land-yachts website. </font><br><br><font size="3">
Registration for our first Land Yachts activity is now open and will
close on July 13, 2007. Details of how to upload images and videos, to
team test data and to participate in the Yacht-blogs will be made
available to registered teams when registration closes. Go to
<a href="http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au/projects/yachts/2007/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au/projects/yachts/2007/</a> and fill in the
online form. All we need for now are some simple details of who you
are and how many teams you will have. Remember that this, like all
oz-teachernet projects, is free of charge. A land-yachts teachers list
has been set up and will provide useful peer support during the project.
</font><br><br><font size="3">
When registration closes, we will send participants detailed instructions
to explain how to upload student photos, videos and how to take part in
the online blogs. The project itself begins at the end of
July.</font><br><br><font size="3">
For more details, please visit the website:
<a href="http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au/projects/yachts" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
http://www.oz-teachernet.edu.au/projects/yachts</a>. If you need
any help, please contact either Ken Garrad (<a href="mailto:k.garrad@qut.edu.au" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">k.garrad@qut.edu.au</a>) or
Vinesh Chandra (<a href="mailto:v.chandra@qut.edu.au" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">v.chandra@qut.edu.au</a>). To register an expression of
interest or if you know of a potential sponsor for this project, please
contact us at <a href="mailto:landyachts@oz-teachernet.edu.au" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">landyachts@oz-teachernet.edu.au</a>. </font><br><br><font size="3">
Please share this advice with your networks. Home schoolers are also
welcome.</font><br><font size="3">
>>>></font><br><br><font size="3">
</font><br><font size="3">
Thanks</font><br><font size="3">
Margaret Lloyd</font><br><font size="3">
</font><p>
Margaret Lloyd (PhD)<br>
Senior Lecturer in Education (Computer Education)<br>
School of Maths, Science and Technology Education<br>
QUT<br>
KELVIN GROVE<br>
Phone +61 07 3138 3326<br>
Fax +61 07 3138
3985<br>
<a href="http://eprints.qut.edu.au/view/person/Lloyd,_Margaret.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/view/person/Lloyd,_Margaret.html<br><br>
</a>CRICOS No 00213J</p><br clear="all"></blockquote><br>-- <br>Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College<br><a href="http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au">http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au</a><br><br>"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead