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The Pringles Challenge is great! Your students
will learn the most, and you will maintain your sanity for the longest
time if you follow a few simple steps. There is no one best way to do
this. I've been through the Challenge three times. I want to show you
how I have done it. Feel free to modify this plan to suit your
individual needs. Good luck. If you have any questions, I am only an
e-mail message away.
Charles F. Lindgren
Gates Intermediate School |
SENDING YOUR PACKAGES
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What to Do |
Why? |
| Give each entry a code number. |
The outside of the package should be marked with the
identification of the individual sending it. The person who opens the
package should record the code number before they open it. That way
there is no way of losing the persons code if it's on the inside. Codes
can be as simple or complicated as you want. |
| The teacher should pass out the chip. |
This eliminates the chances of a renegade chip being used. |
| Have a strategy in place for finding volume, and mass of the
sealed entry. |
I have samples coming in from five different teams. I've assigned
one student in each of my classes to assist contestants when they come
in. A balance, ruler, calculator, etc. will be located near the computer
where all of the information is stored. The contestant is given a code
number which they immediately enter into the spreadsheet along
with their name(s). The mass (kg) of the package and its volume (cm3)
are found, and entered into the spreadsheet. Enter
this data as it is found, don't wait. Be ready for odd-shaped
packages. You might find the volume by displacement!
Want to do something extra? Have them find the
density! That's strictly a bonus; it's not required. |
| Have them address the package in your presence. |
The easiest way to do this is to have mailing labels already
made. The label should include the following: Name of the
Teacher
Name of the School
Street Address
City, State Zip
Code # __________
I used Avery #8160 Labels
In Addition, there should also be a return address label on the
package. |
| Additional Wording |
"Pringles Challenge" may also appear on the package.
"Fragile" and "Handle with Care" are the only two
additional phrases that can be used. The official instructions
also say you can list any special instructions for opening, but no one
ever does. |
| Get a receipt from the post office as proof that it was mailed. |
Common sense. Especially if they are doing this for some sort of
extra credit. This will be their proof that it was sent. |
RECEIVING THEIR PACKAGES
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WHAT TO DO |
WHY? |
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Have a location set aside for handling the packages |
It's important that nothing gets lost. Some of these people spend
a huge amount of time doing this. There should be a balance,
ruler, printed version of the scoring rubric, calculator, and recording
device at the spot. |
| Assign responsible people to check
the packages in, and open them. |
This generates a huge amount of excitement when the packages
start arriving. The people assigned to open, etc. should know exactly
what to do before they get the first package. The sequence of steps
should be:
- Record the code of the package
- Find the mass and record
- Find the volume and record
- Open the package carefully
- Evaluate the chip and record
- Calculate the score and record
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| Send results to your partner school as you get them. |
These people want to know how they did. Be sure to e-mail them
the results as soon as you get them. Don't wait until you think you've
received all of the information. |
| No later than February 16th, e-mail me the completed set of results.Excel Spreadsheet |
I've included a spreadsheet for returning the data. This would be
the easiest way for you to send me the data. If you enter the
individual's ID number, Mass in kg, Volume in Cubic Centimeters (CC),
and Intactness Score, the program will calculate the Final Score.
Feel free to add any comments about individual packages, etc. You could
send a "growing copy" of the spreadsheet to your partner school as you
get their packages, and
e-mail
a final copy to me as an attachment when you think you have
all of the entries, or by February 16th. If you can't use Excel on your
computer, or you want to use another program feel free to do that. Just
be sure I get the final results by the 16th. |
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