7th Grade Bridge Project
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eventh grade students became engineers for the annual “Bridge Project” at Harpeth Hall. This exciting and highly anticipated project asks students to explore their creativity and apply scientific principles. Middle School Science Teacher, Elsa Davids, shared an overview of the unit: The seventh grade bridge project is our first major foray into engineering. In our class, we like to say that we have been “hired” to build a bridge for the town of “Needabridge.” We conduct research about bridge history and bridge types, and we follow the engineering design process throughout the project. Additionally, students must consider the town’s needs and maintain a budget as they design their initial bridge in a 3D software called Tinkercad. The girls test their bridges until they break, and then analyze and rebuild their bridges using their new knowledge. The hands-on bridge project provides the girls with opportunities to think like engineers and to develop a deep understanding of force and cooperative exploration. — Elsa Davids
Lego League Robotics
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arpeth Hall’s Lego League Robotics teams had winning performances at the State Robotics Competition. The girls demonstrated an ability to communicate their research, program effectively, and have fun! The Robotics team was awarded the Inspiration Core Values Award. This award is given to a team that is “empowered by their Lego League experience and demonstrates extraordinary enthusiasm and spirit.” Both teams embodied the spirit of Lego League in their actions and teamwork. Congratulations to our teams, our first-year Robotics Coach, Ms. Elsa Davids, and veteran Coach, Dr. Stephanie Zeiger. HH Robotics Team: Tara Howard, Ashley Maliakal, Brenna Paisley, Kate Linley, Kate Franklin, Lily Anne Thompson, Sari Shaffer, Fields Livingston and Elizabeth Lefler HH Coding Bears: Michelle Ikejiani, Sophia Baldwin, Natalie DiMaria, Grace Kingree, Jenna Peterson, Libby Coltea, Britton Staley, and Annabelle Thomas SPRING 2020
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