Goal:
To teach students about how to plan and create a design to make something that is useful in the world. Teamwork and utilizing the scientific process to plan a project.
Specific Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
- Students will Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
- Students will be able to describe and verbalize the challenges of creating an object.
- Students will be able to research design blueprints online.
- Students will work together to plan the use of materials, specific objects to be built, the dimensions to follow, draw a blueprint, and write up a paper on how it all went.
Introduction/ Hook:
We will start by having a discussion around questions like: What does an engineer do? How do engineers collaborate? How do engineers design solutions to problems? We will watch What is an Engineer. Then we will break out into teams of two in Zoom rooms to discuss what things we can imagine building if we were an engineer. When we come back we will discuss all the different ideas and list them in Zoom dry erase. We will start thinking about what object would be the most fun to build. Each student will be instructed to research how their object is built.
Day 1
We will use our KWL chart on Zoom again and have a discussion about what we know about engineers and how they build things. We will use the example of building a bridge and ask the question, “What makes a bridge so strong?”, then watch the video What Makes Bridges So Strong? After we have a discussion we will then have break out Zoom rooms to talk about different types of uses for bridges and what they look like. We will discuss what bridges are used for. For homework students will each write one sentence regarding a specific use for a bridge.
Day 2
Today we will discuss the process of planning to build an object. We will start by watching a video about building a paper bridge. We will talk about all the steps that go into the planning of building something before we start. We will then have a discussion about a project we are going to undertake. I will assign students into teams of 2. They will first have to get permission from parents to exchange contact information to be able to work together remotely. I will have a zoom meeting with each team of two. We will come up with what item will be built and what materials we want to use. Both students will get materials and agree on dimensions so that a blueprint can be created. Their first assignment is to get materials and draw a blueprint as well as do some initial research on the object they want to build. Through the course of two weeks I will check in and provide support on Zoom so that questions can be answered and progress monitored.
Assessment
The completed project and notes on how the item was built, materials used, and challenges that occurred. Writing samples from the bridge discussion will be included as well.
Appropriateness of Activities
The lesson presented was appropriate for this age group. It translated effectively online and was amazing at getting kids to work together which is so important for remote learning activities. The concept of working and planning remotely provided opportunities for community building and teamwork.
Correlation of Activities to the Seminar
This is a lesson I adapted from my classroom and tried online. It translated well with additional video resources. The use of Zoom meetings with teams was both fun as well as engaging. The process of creating something with a partner really helped kids feel closer to each other.
Self Evaluation
This was another amazing activity. In the future I will do a lot more of this with remote learning. The teamwork and community it built was amazing. Family involvement was incredible. The finished products were well thought out and executed. I would do more setting this up and modeling when I do this again.
