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The Blackstone Canal
Engineering and Technology Academy Invites You!
The ETA is holding their 9th annual “Bringing Back the Blackstone” project fair, and welcome the community to see. Those who attend will have the freedom to walk around and talk to the students, parents, and staff about the projects and the future of the Canal District, in a casual environment. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Date:
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm.
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Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
The Blackstone Canal
The History of the Blackstone Canal:
The Blackstone Canal was a canal that ran from Providence to Worcester, through the Blackstone Valley, giving it its name. The canal was created by a merchant community that wished to profit from the trade in the greater Worcester area. The proposed waterway would use water locks and natural bodies of water to give the people of Massachusetts and Rhode Island better prices for their goods. The builder of the canal was Benjamin Wright, who also helped create the Erie Canal, and Holmes Hutchinson, who went on to build canals in New York state. Construction began in 1825, and on October 7th, 1828, the Lady Carrington officially opened the canal. The canal was very profitable to Worcester. At its highest, the canal was 451 feet, and passed over 45 canal locks. The canal also helped to bring the countryside into the more urban parts of Worcester and Providence.
However, the canal became increasingly polluted over time and was made obsolete by trains, which moved far faster than the boats. In 1848, the canal was closed, and later, due to pollution, Worcester covered up what remained. The canal still exists underneath Harding Street.
Overview:
The basis of this project is the idea of bringing back the Blackstone Canal. This would increase tourism in the area, causing the need for new businesses along the canal, boosting the local economy. The students are each "given" a 120x120 ft. plot of land, as well as one of five sectors to work with, ie. commercial, residential, industrial, recreational, and cultural. They must get a building permit approved by two teachers before they can officially begin.
Engineering:
For the engineering project, students must design a scale building on Inventor, and build it in real life. They have to build the whole thing to scale, also accepting the parameters of the project.
Science:
In science, the students have to create a "Green Plan" for their building. They have to research new and developing environmentally friendly technologies, then utilize them within their design.
English:
For English, the students must write a letter to the mayor. This implements their writing skills, as they must write a persuasive essay to explain what their building will do for the city, such as the economy, the green energies they will use, and how they plan to run their business.
Math:
For the math portion of the project, the students have to design, on paper, how they want their land to be laid out. They also have to do this to scale and label every part of their design.
History:
For the history portion, the students have to research the dates of the Blackstone Canal. It is a three part timeline, that includes the history of the Industrial Revolution, the history of the Blackstone Canal, and the history of Worcester. Students are graded on their creativity, accuracy, and originality.
The Learning Fair:
Students have to put all of their work on a poster board, to be graded by their Engineering teacher (Ms. Cochran) for neatness, design, and creativity. The posters are then put on display in the cafeteria their parents, friends, and community to see. The learning fair is a chance to relax and take pride in all of the student's work and effort.
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| An artist's rendering of a modern Blackstone Canal. www.golocalworcester.com |
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| An etching of the Blackstone canal. www.blackstonedaily.com |
However, the canal became increasingly polluted over time and was made obsolete by trains, which moved far faster than the boats. In 1848, the canal was closed, and later, due to pollution, Worcester covered up what remained. The canal still exists underneath Harding Street.
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| The canal being covered up in Worcester. www.worcesterhisory.org |
Overview:
The basis of this project is the idea of bringing back the Blackstone Canal. This would increase tourism in the area, causing the need for new businesses along the canal, boosting the local economy. The students are each "given" a 120x120 ft. plot of land, as well as one of five sectors to work with, ie. commercial, residential, industrial, recreational, and cultural. They must get a building permit approved by two teachers before they can officially begin.
Engineering:
For the engineering project, students must design a scale building on Inventor, and build it in real life. They have to build the whole thing to scale, also accepting the parameters of the project.
Science:
In science, the students have to create a "Green Plan" for their building. They have to research new and developing environmentally friendly technologies, then utilize them within their design.
English:
For English, the students must write a letter to the mayor. This implements their writing skills, as they must write a persuasive essay to explain what their building will do for the city, such as the economy, the green energies they will use, and how they plan to run their business.
Math:
For the math portion of the project, the students have to design, on paper, how they want their land to be laid out. They also have to do this to scale and label every part of their design.
History:
For the history portion, the students have to research the dates of the Blackstone Canal. It is a three part timeline, that includes the history of the Industrial Revolution, the history of the Blackstone Canal, and the history of Worcester. Students are graded on their creativity, accuracy, and originality.
The Learning Fair:
Students have to put all of their work on a poster board, to be graded by their Engineering teacher (Ms. Cochran) for neatness, design, and creativity. The posters are then put on display in the cafeteria their parents, friends, and community to see. The learning fair is a chance to relax and take pride in all of the student's work and effort.
Thursday, October 12, 2017
First Engineering Week!
On October 13th, the freshmen will start their first Engineering Intensive Week. It will be a five period block where the students are introduced to the Learning Fair Project, surveying, scale, and the basics of civil/architectural engineering. Students who have the 5-block period should bring clothes to be worn outside (dress for the weather), and a snack to be eaten before lunch. The classes that do not have the 5-block period will go to their other four classes for a slightly extended period of time. The schedule goes as follows:
Oct. 13th: Ms. Vanni's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Vanni's class first.)
Oct. 16th: Mr. Simmarano's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Simmarano's class first.)
Oct. 17th: Mr. Garcia's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Garcia's class first.)
Oct. 18th: Ms. Perez's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Perez's class first.)
Oct. 19th: Ms. Cochran's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering.
Oct. 13th: Ms. Vanni's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Vanni's class first.)
Oct. 16th: Mr. Simmarano's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Simmarano's class first.)
Oct. 17th: Mr. Garcia's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Mr. Garcia's class first.)
Oct. 18th: Ms. Perez's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering. (Ms. Cochran's first period will go to Ms. Perez's class first.)
Oct. 19th: Ms. Cochran's homeroom will have the 5-block period in engineering.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Math Textbook
The online math textbook has been updated! To get it, please follow these steps.
Step 1: Log into the Student Portal (link here)
Step 2: Under "Student Links", Click "McGraw Hill ConnectEd"
Step 3: When on the McGraw Hill page, do not click "Add". Simply click on the book cover that is yours
Step 4: Click on the e-book for the access to individual pages
McGraw Hill ConnectEd also provides extra resources to students. There are tutor videos and quizzes to check their math skills.
Step 1: Log into the Student Portal (link here)
Step 2: Under "Student Links", Click "McGraw Hill ConnectEd"
Step 3: When on the McGraw Hill page, do not click "Add". Simply click on the book cover that is yours
Step 4: Click on the e-book for the access to individual pages
McGraw Hill ConnectEd also provides extra resources to students. There are tutor videos and quizzes to check their math skills.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Know Your School Night
Know Your School Night will be on Thursday, October 12th, at 6:30 pm. Parents of freshmen students in the Engineering and Technology Academy will:
- Go to their child's first period class shown on the schedule provided
- Will then be taken to the library, with all of the other freshmen ETA parents, for a more detailed discussion about what being in the ETA will mean.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Recommended Apps
Mr. Simmarano compiled a list of apps that will be useful for the ETA freshmen. These sites many also be useful if you're not a freshman, so check them out!
- Office 365: This Microsoft program is given to all Worcester Public Schools students. It will allow students to use Word, Excel, and other programs like it. (Some apps offered will be explained in detail below.)
- Outlook: This is the student's school email. They can contact teachers and guidance officers through this email. A student can sign in using their student id number at the Worcester Public Schools email domain (i.e.: student.######@worc.k12.ma.us), and if they've never signed in before, their birthday will be the password. For example: if you're birthday is January 2nd 2003, "01022003" would be your password.
- One Drive: This is a 365 program, and is basically a digital cloud. Files can be created, shared, and edited on this software.
- One Note: One Note is another 365 app. This program allows a student to take notes on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can also share and receive notes from other students.
- Remind: Remind is an app available in the iTunes Store or on Apple Play. The app literally reminds and updates you about things happening within your classes. It also can be used to communicate with your teachers and to farm study groups amongst students. See the website for students here.
- Quizlet: Quizlet is a website that allows you to use take online quizzes to prepare for the in school ones. The quizzes are created by teachers and students and are in subjects from math to history to biology. There are even quizzes for AP classes on this site. If you type in a subject, you will find the perfect quiz to study with. The website can be found here.
- Khan Academy: Khan Academy is an online program that helps student when they are struggling with a subject. The site offers help is dozens of courses, from World History to Differential Equations. The site gives the students practice in a subject, or area, and extra assistance if it is needed for a student to comprehend the material. It is also a valuable resource for PSAT and SAT prep. The website can be found here.
- Complete Biology: This is an app that Mr. Simmarano found for his class specifically. Complete Biology is an android app that allows users to read through biology notes and diagrams as they are quizzed on it. This is an excellent resource while studying for a biology test. Look at the app here.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Welcome Back!
It's a brand new school year at Doherty, and the ETA is full of new freshman. As students get settled in, this website will be posting some new things. Here's to a great new year!
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