Shop Class; Thursday, Second Period [04/15].

[special_rabbit]

"Morning, everyone," Amaya greeted the students with a nod as usual and a faint grin, glad to not only be stepping into this project for their last classes but also that this week had been nice and quiet after the week they'd all just had, and that there would be hopefully no reason to get into any of that by now, anyway, and onto some new distractions.

And it would seem that Amaya had been putting in quite a bit of work into some distractions indeed, as thee were a few intriguing contraptions and machines in the shop that were definitely not the usual pieces of equipment they were used to running.

"Not so much hard work with our hands today, though, but rather with our heads. We're coming up on the end of the semester, so next week, you'll be coming in and finishing up on a final project to show off to the class. Now, we didn't really take a whole lot of time to go over simple machines this semester, since I've felt you've all got a pretty good grip on those when you came in, but the concepts of simple machines are what's going into what I expect out of you next week. I'm looking to have you all put together a contraption of simple machines. The rules are pretty simple: I want you to take some time and think about a simple task. Could be switching on a light. Tying your boots. Toasting your bread. Something really mundane and basic...and then I want you to try to think up a machine with at least five moving parts to perform that task.

"There's actually a term for this sort of thing on this world," which still amused Amaya to absolutely no end. "They call it a Rube Goldberg machine, a device intentionally designed to perform a simple task in an overly complicated and complex manner. Named after a cartoonist who was known to feature these kinds of machines in his work.

"Now, I've gone ahead and tried to recreate some of his devices from my research," because of course she would, "as well as a few others to help inspire you guys. Take some time to look them over, see what they do, and maybe bounce some ideas around for simple tasks that could use a complex solution. It's mostly brainstorming today, maybe get a little work in if you have an idea and want to see how it works. You'll have the class period today and the start of class next week to work on your machines, or, if you need a little extra time, just let me know and we can have you come in extra if you need. So! With that said, let's have a look at what these here machines can do to start getting the machines inside your skulls," she tapped a finger against the side of her head, "working! Then you've got full run of the shop once you feel you're ready to get cranking them out."

Guiding the Powerful Yet Incompetent, Thursday, Third Period

[tellmehowstuffworks]

"Next week will be your final week in this class," Yennefer said. "For practice, I would like you to imagine ways that the king might decide to stress you out that have not yet been covered, and consider how you will deal with unexpected hurdles. You may do this in quiet contemplation or you may share with the class." So that Yennefer could rip you off. "Discuss, and consider what we have learned about those who have power during our time together.

Teamwork is Awesome and Etc., Thursday, April 15, 2021

[heroic_jawline]

"Today is the last class before your final exam," Tony said. "Congratulations on making it through."

Really, surviving this place was a great accomplishment sometimes.

Steve smiled at them all as he nodded. "Hopefully you've learned about the value of teamwork," he said earnestly.

"Precisely," Tony added. "So, today we're going with another useful survival skill... how to signal for help if you do end up lost in the wilderness."

"Please don't set the trees on fire with a flare gun," Steve said.

Tony looked worried, like that idea hadn't even occurred to him. "Yes. Flare guns are aimed at the sky. Never at the ground or trees."

"Unless you're using it as a diversion," Steve added. The Howling Commandos had made some choices.

Tony very quickly shook his head behind Steve.