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The Crusades

School: High Tech High

City/State: San Diego, CA

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Format(s): Book: Nonfiction/Informational

Subject(s): Science and Technology, Social Studies

Project Overview

Students from High Tech High School in San Diego, California, created this book as part of an investigation into the math and physics behind the weapons of the crusades. It is an unusual example of an interdisciplinary project for high school juniors and seniors that involved math, science, history and English skills, and allowed for cooperation among teachers from four disciplines.

Each entry was created by two students and includes writing, illustrations and diagrams. Each entry also includes background on the history of the weapon, a battle in which it was used, and the physics of the weapon.

How This Project Can Be Useful

  • Highlights a high school-level physics and math project
  • Unusual example of interdisciplinary collaboration at an upper high school level
  • Compelling example of making math and science come alive, by embedding with it within a historical study
  • The product is nicely formatted, with thoughtful, professional-quality layout that combines text and graphics
  • Each entry follows a common format that also allows for original work and creativity
  • Highlights a topic is appealing – the study of weapons - for many high school student

Common Core State Standards

Standard Long Term Learning Target
W.11-12.2
  • I can write informative/explanatory texts that convey complex ideas and concepts clearly and accurately, using content that is carefully selected, organized, and analyzed.
RST.11-12.7
  • I can integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information in a variety of formats and media to address a question or solve a problem.
WHST.11-12.2
  • EL has not created long-term learning targets for WHST standards.
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