SO YOU WANT TO BUILD A STADIUM?
An Internet WebQuest
on an Engineering Pathway
created
by the FHS Engineering Pathway
Charles W. Flanagan High School
Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion
| HyperText Dictionary
Introduction
Long ago and far away, a
great and famous stadium was built. It embodied all the qualities that would
make any Roman proud to hold a ticket to any event. Wouldn't it be exciting if
we could build a stadium for Flanagan High School that would capture that very
same pride? What if we could become a symbol of progress in our own little
world? How would the old knowledge contribute to the construction of our new
'colosseum'?
Using the knowledge of the Romans as a springboard, how can we accomplish
building a stadium today that would replicate or improve upon what was once a
most progressive undertaking, the Roman Coliseum?
The Quest
IS PROGRESS PROGRESSIVE?
You are a new engineering firm in competition for a request by Charles W.
Flanagan High School to build a state of the art stadium. Of course, you would
really, really relish landing this lucrative and prestigious job. As luck would
have it, members of the panel empowered to award contracts have extensive
knowledge and great respect for the construction of the Roman Colosseum. So,
get an edge on the bid! This is a rare opportunity to impress, and perhaps
ensure that you will receive the contract. Based on what you know about the
Roman Colosseum, what relationships and points can you make to compare
Flanagan's projected state of the art stadium to that of the Romans'?
The Process and Resources
In this WebQuest you
will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will
answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore
Webpages from people all over the world who care about an Engineering Pathway.
Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for
schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online
Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.
You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before
dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the
topic.
Phase 1 - Background: Something for
Everyone
Use the Internet
information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where?
when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer
these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.
Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different
Perspectives
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the
roles below.
2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files,
underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the
files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the
mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or
other writing software.
3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the
passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your
point.
4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers
the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for
your role.
BACKGROUND
AND HISTORY OF THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM
Use the
Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically
related to BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM:
1. What were the dimensions of structure and field? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
2. Can you list the uses of the stadium? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
3. What were the initiators' purposes? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
4. Who was used as the labor force? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
·
The Colosseum - The web
discusses history, materials, seating capacity, dimensions and other links.
·
The Colosseum IV - This site
wants to be a tribute to the majesty of the most visited monument in Italy and a
guide to the visitor, giving historical and practical information on the
different aspects of the symbol of Rome.
·
All Roads Lead to Rome
- A WebQuest on the Roman Empire.
THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM
Use
the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically
related to THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM:
1. Who were the project initiators? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
2. What were the dimensions of structure and field? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
3. Can you determine the materials used? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
4. What were the seating capacity/arrangements? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
5. What technologies were harnessed? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
6. What human skills were used as the labor force? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
·
The Colosseum II - A brief
history of seating efficiency, ticket system, architecture (brief), and
retractable roof of the Colosseum.
·
The Colosseum III - The
retractable roof construction of the Colosseum.
·
IL
Colosseo - A nice site on the Colosseum made by an Italian high school.
·
The buildings for athletics
in ancient Greece and Rome - A site on the buildings for athletics in
ancient Greece and Rome.The buildings for athletics in ancient Greece and Rome
THE
CONSTRUCTION OF FLANAGAN STADIUM
Use
the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically
related to THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLANAGAN STADIUM:
1. Can you list the uses of the stadium? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
2. Can you determine the materials used? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
3. What were the seating capacity/arrangements? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
4. What are the building codes (not applicable to Romans)? (L.A.A.1.4,
L.A.A.2.4)
5. How was the stadium funded? (not applicable to Romans)? (L.A.A.1.4,
L.A.A.2.4)
6. What were the initiators' purposes? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
7. What human skills were used as the labor force? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
8. What technologies were harnessed? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
You will want to access appropriate websites and email construction companies
about what you would need to complete your new stadium. Sports construction
companies and universities provide this information on line.
From this point, you can write up your proposal for your prospective clients.
The creation of your blueprints/models/ visuals can be developed to include in
your slick, progressive marketing presentation.
·
Flanagan High School
Stadium - A description of the process of securing a stadium.
·
Pembroke Pines -
The city of Pembroke Pines site listing the objectives for building a stadium.
·
Flanagan High School
Stadium - The mission statement, executive board and stadium statistics.
·
Flanagan High School
Stadium II - email access: flanaganstadium@aol.com
·
webmaster for Flanagan's
stadium - email access: roberts925@mindspring.com
THE
BID TO CONSTRUCT FLANAGAN STADIUM
Use the
Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically
related to THE BID TO CONSTRUCT FLANAGAN STADIUM:
You will want to access appropriate websites and email construction companies
about what you would need to complete your new stadium. Sports construction
companies and universities provide this information on line.
From this point, you can write up your proposal for your prospective clients.
The creation of your blueprints/models/ visuals can be developed to include in
your slick, progressive marketing presentation.
1. What examples can you find to illustrate the relationship between the
construction of the Coliseum and the Flanagan High School Stadium? What facts
would you select to exemplify this? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
2. Compare and contrast the seating arrangement of spectators in the Coliseum
to that of the spectators of Flanagan's new stadium? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
3. How would you construct a model that would improve upon the new stadium
based on the C? (L.A.A.1.4, L.A.A.2.4)
4. How would you rate the finished product of each stadium you have researched
in this quest? What are the gains and losses of progress? (L.A.A.1.4,
L.A.A.2.4)
5. If given the opportunity to modify the plans of Flanagan's stadium to
reflect features of the Coliseum what would you change and why? (L.A.A.1.4,
L.A.A.2.4)
·
PEPPER
ENGINEERING GROUP, INC. - The engineering firm's credentials and resume.
·
Civil Engineering Virtual
Library/Georgia Tech - Civil engineering society.
·
McLaughlin Engineering Firm -
A local engineering firm.
·
McLaughlin Engineering Company -
A credential sample.
·
McLaughlin Engineering Company -
Some components to explore.
·
McLaughlin Engineering Company -
Some possible contacts.
·
·
S A M P L E R F P for TERM A / E S E R V I C E S * - A sample rfp (request
for proposal).
Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and
Reaching Consensus
You have all learned
about a different part of an Engineering Pathway. Now group members come back
to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one
perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Each of
you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and
others disagree. Use information, pictures, movies, facts, opinions, etc. from
the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is
important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion).
Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can
live with.
Phase 4 - Real World Feedback
You and your teammates
have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put
your learning into a letter you'll send out for real world feedback. Together
you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives
that you've gained. Here's the process:
1. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing
your message to this particular person or organization.
2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.
STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.
3. Each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good
reasons supporting the group's opinion. Make sure to be specific in both the
information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the
information proves your group's point).
4. Have each person on the team proofread the message. Use correct letter
format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message. Use the
link below to make contact. Send your message and make sure your teacher gets a
copy.
Your
Contact is: the designated contact
Conclusion
In a time and place so distant, a structure
was erected, to be a jewel in the crown of the Roman Empire: The Roman Coliseum. In our little bailiwick, a jewel was needed
for Flanagan’s stadium. After questing
for interminable hours (remember, Rome was not built in a day!) our engineers
examined and adapted the best of both worlds.
However, after the long journey, the question still resonates in the
minds of all, is progress progressive?
This essential question will continue to be asked. Everyone sees with different eyes, wearing
different hats. The answer is
amorphous. So now, in a world of
constant change, our aspiring engineers have laid a “foundation” in two ways:
concretely (the stadium structure) and abstractly (their future lessons to be
learned).
Many thanks to our colleagues, without whom our foundation could never have been laid.
Ralph
Bucci, Reading Coach
Marsha
Decker, Support Specialist
Joyce Hawkins, Pathway
Leader
Hector
Jimenez, Social Studies
Kecia
McAlpine, Language Arts
Lance
Merchant, Mathematics
Lee
Sage, Vocational
Trudy
Wasserman, Reading Specialist
Carina
Whaley, Language Arts
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Content by the FHS Engineering Pathway, jahawkin@bellsouth.net |
