Enjoy winter break!

Parker's Crank Bait

For my project i'm making a crank bait. All a crank bait is a fishing lure that you  try to make it look like small fish. I'm going to make this by carving out a piece of wood to the shape I want it to be. Then painting it, and adding a seal to make it water resistant seal. The last thing is then drilling holes in the bottom then adding hooks

Making a Slingshot

For my genius hour project I am making a slingshot. Right now I am getting the materials to make it. Such as: wood,wood glue, and bands. The next thing I plan on doing is cutting the wood. After that I will start sanding. That is what I am planning so far.

Video games

Making a video game

           For my genus hour project i have attempted to make a video game based off of a book series that i read.The series is the  wings of fire books. I will be making kinda sorta a minecraft map but only this time we will have dragons. The Jade mountain academy will be where you can take a class or get help. It is also where you can complete missions. Explore Phyra and defeat long lost enemies. play with up to 5 people. Come join the adventure.

So far i have been making a cruise board for my g 40. I will be making a long board next!!!!

How-To Magic Book-UPDATE 12/17/15-Samuel Arentz

                 I have just researched a couple more tricks that will be incorporated into my book, as well as the presentation. I will also soon be uploading a video of me doing a couple of tricks, so please check in every once and a while. Thank you!

Student Blogs from other Schools

NHS Innovation Class Student Blogs

Look at some of the student blogs here and note how students develop their voice in their blogs.

Before You Post

There are a number of tremendous updates on the genius blogs already! I'd like to remind you to keep a few items in mind as you create your first posts.

1. People all over the world can see our blog.
2. Write in complete sentences with capital letters at the beginning and proper punctuation at the end.
3. Capitalize proper nouns.
4. Read your post aloud before you post! This will let you know if it makes sense or not.
5. You need to introduce you project.  Updates are cool, but they serve little purpose if we are not aware of what your project is.
6. Have fun and create your own blogging style. Blogging is more informal than academic writing, and it should entertain while it informs.
7. Pictures, videos, and podcasts are encouraged!  Just make sure it is school appropriate and that you have permission to use the pictures you post.

Mr. Bender

How to Write a Quality Comment!

Mobile Gaming.

My G40 project is to create a YouTube channel and post videos of mobile gaming on my phone.
I did a lot of research of good ways to record my videos and i have found an app that will do just that.
The first game i will be recording soon is Monster Legends which is a awesome game.I will create a YouTube account this weekend and start recording soon.My goal is to just have fun making videos.

Book Writing 12-16-15

Sydney Stripe 
7S
12-16-15

My Genius project is to write a trilogy of books about superheros. I've always wanted to write my own books and knowing that some of my friends, teachers, and family enjoy my writing I push myself further. I'm excited to be writing and I hope to get these published in the future. 

What I did so far was get all my planning together, what I mean by that is I got what I wanted the book to look like, the summary, and what events and characters. I started making 4 books. I currently am in the making of book 1.    

If you want to know more find a way to contact  me. See you my little clouds...

 

LGBT+ awareness

For G40 I am doing  an LGBT+ awareness powerpoint, speech, and getting a couple shirts printed that support LGBT+. Many people do not like LGBT+ for religious reasons, I want to change that.  Some people refuse to marry 2 people of thee same gender. Some people won't even sll things for their store to them. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, however, the + is put there because there are many more things in the LGBT+ community. I'm almost finished with my LGBT+ project so I am going to be doing another project soon. If u have any suggestions of what u think could be cool please tell me.  

Chemo Caps For Kids Abby Searfoss

Chemo Caps For Kids

For my genius hour project I am making caps for kids with cancer. I am going to get in contact with the Lehigh Valley Hospital to find out a what date in the spring I can go visit withe the kids and give them their caps. So far I have one cap done and have two more cut out and ready to be sewn. I am doing this project because my grandma had cancer. I went one day in the summer with her to her treatment and saw all they have to go through. In November she found out she is in remishen which means she is free of cancer. Cancer patients go through a lot, so I wanted to bring some happiness to the kids. I cant wait to see the smiling faces on the kids faces.  

Genius Update

I have created an experiment idea. Today, I will address safety concerns. My final product will be a model rocket propelled by plasma.

skateboard ramps

Kara's update on 12/16/15

For my genius hour project, I wanted to make a movie. I didn't have certain technology to do the editing, so I changed my project. Now, I am researching schools around the country, and seeing if I can attend them. I have been researching preforming arts schools in Philadelphia. Now, I want to look at private schools and schools that have a unique or different-from-our-school twist. I am continuing my research and making a checklist of the things I need to do. That is where I stand on my genius hour project.

Michael's Long Bow

My genius hour project is making a long bow. So far I have all of my materials gathered for making it and I have watched videos on how to make it. I also have all of my all of my research done and I ready to start making the bow.

Zach Zimmerman genus hour project first blog

My project is to make a fifteen story building ( small scale ). Made out of tooth picks on the inside and pop sickle sticks on the out side. The object is to see how much weight it can hold till it breaks.

Getting Started Blogging

This video will provide you with brief instructions for creating blog posts.

Genius Status Day: Sam Arentz Makes Magic Happen

December 9, 2015 was our very first Genius Hour status update at SVMS.  Students have been working very hard to cultivate their passions as they create their plans for learning and creation.  Above and below are videos of aspiring magician, Sam Arentz, thrilling members of his Genius Hour group with the illusions he's been perfecting.

Coding Resources

Many of you are looking to do some type of coding as a part of your Genius Hour project.  This might be the result of creating a video game or something else.  Luckily, the following link includes a number of resources that will help you develop your coding skills.  Check it out!

Coding Resources

As you prepare for your elevator pitch, please take a look at this clip from "Shark Tank" as an example of a pitch.  Additionally, you should use the following paper to prepare for your sixty second elevator pitch.

Elevator Pitch Planning

Quote of the Week

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”

-Ernest Hemingway

Blogging Requirements

Blogging is such an important part of our Genius Hour time.  This is your opportunity to share your plans, progress, successes, and failures with the world.  We want to track our steps in the process so that others can provide advice, feedback, and even be inspired by your project!  We do have a few requirements that you will need to know before you start!

Blogging Requirements:

1. You must complete a minimum of one blog post per week.
2. You must answer the following three questions in each post:
1. What did you accomplish this week?
2. What are you working on right now?
3. What do you plan to do next?
3. Spelling and grammar is important! You must proofread your work before you publish it.  Thousands of people could be reading your posts, so provide them with a great reflection of your writing.
4. You may vlog (video blog) or post a podcast from time to time to document your progress.  It all depends on what you want to do!  
5. You are greatly encouraged to include pictures or videos of your project progress with each post!  We want to see what you are creating!
6. Make sure you create a label for your project so that it is easily found on the blog.
7. You are encouraged to add updates to Twitter and Instagram.
8. You must fill out the blog submission form every time you create a blog post!
9. Don't be a troll when commenting on the posts of others.  Be supportive and offer feedback that will be helpful.

Welcome!

Blogging is an important part of digital citizenship and we hope to utilize blogger to develop our own digital voices that can be heard around the world. Remember that we should always observe the proper netiquette while posting and commenting. Please do not type in ALL CAPS because it makes others feel like you are screaming at them! The school rules continue to apply to all blogging activities.  Remember that the readers cannot tell the mood or the tone of your post or comment because they cannot observe your facial expressions or hear how you are saying something, so exercise precision of language to avoid potential disagreements. Always cite your work and write in complete sentences. Spelling and grammar never take a vacation! Hundreds, possibly thousands, will read your work. Help them by writing in a manner that is easily understood. Nothing truly disappears once it is published, so proofread everything you type before you publish it. Lastly, but most importantly, have fun!

Mr. Bender