Arizona STEM
Acceleration Project
Sphero Jousting Tournament
Jousting Tournament Design
A 6th grade STEM lesson
Janelle Moran
5/9/24
Notes for Teachers
List of Possible Materials:
Sphero Bolts (1 sphero for every 2 students)
For the Base: solo cups, construction paper, Jousting Banner PDF, cardboard (shield)
For the Jousting Lance: unsharpened pencils, skewers, or popsicle sticks
Other supporting or decorative materials: tape, pipe cleaners, stickers, glue, etc.
Science and Engineering Practices
6.RI.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
6.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one‐on‐one, in groups, and teacher‐led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
6.H1.1 Compare the development and characteristics of historical cultures and civilizations from different global regions within designated time periods.
6.H2.1 Evaluate the causes and effects of conflict and resolution among different societies and cultures.
Objectives:
Today we will explain how energy will transfer from one moving object to another.
Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete an engineering design challenge.
Agenda (120+ minutes)
What is chivalry?
Jousting: Origins and history of the medieval sport
By Christopher Gravett published March 22, 2022
Jousting was a medieval tournament that saw knights compete against each other on horseback.
Jousting was the main event of tournaments that were seen throughout much of Europe during the medieval period and beyond. Warriors have practiced for war since ancient times, but the tournament as it later became known first emerged in north-west France, in the late 11th-century.
Mounted contests known as jousts became very popular during the 13th century and eventually became the most popular spectacle. Though competing knights wore thick armour to protect their head and torso, jousting remained a dangerous sport. causing injury and even death.
Jousting: Origins and history of the medieval sport (continued)
Jousting was dangerous: with the two horses coming together at speeds of around 50-60 miles per hour per hour (80-96 kilometers per hour) . A central dividing barrier, known as a tilt, is not mentioned until 1429 and even after that some contests were still run in the open field so colliding, or damaging the knees from passing too closely, was a real danger.
The lance was about 12 feet (3.6m) long and during the 14th century was increasingly furnished with a circular steel vamplate to protect the hand. Behind this was a ring around the shaft that tucked into the armpit to prevent the lance slipping backwards on striking the opponent. This ring developed into the graper, a crown of small spikes that bit into a wooden core held in a ‘lance rest’ on the steel breastplates of armor from the 15th century onwards.
Jousting: Origins and history of the medieval sport (continued)
For jousts of war, a sharp steel head was used, to demonstrate courage and skill.or jousts during peacetime, a blunted head was used or else a steel coronel of small prongs that spread the force of the blow.
In the 15th century lances lengthened to about 14 feet (4.27m), according to Miles and Paddock. These were larger in front of and behind the hand, and tapered in shape at both ends. By the Early Modern period jousting lances had generally shortened and were fluted on the outside. They were sometimes hollow inside or jointed so they would shatter more easily.
Traditional Jousting Scoring
A traditional jousting game consists of three rounds of two opposing knights charging at each other on horseback. The objective of the joust can vary, with most medieval-era jousts looking for a rider to knock his adversary off of their horse. Over time, the sport has evolved to utilize a points-based system that does not usually reward unseating the opponent.
Although there is no official method or guidelines regarding scoring, Destrier (a prominent modern jousting organization) specifically employs the following system of scoring in all competitions:
What will happen when knights collide?
Hands-On Activity Instructions
In a group of 2, engineer a knight with a jousting stick that will compete in a jousting tournament.
Constraints:
How will we assess our work?
Assessment
Science Assessment
Differentiation
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Students that are successful and want more of a challenge, encourage them to make a medieval ring obstacle course.