Overview

Grades

3-4

Time

40 minutes per lab

Unit Essential Question(s)

What happens to the movement of an object when we physically change the build?

Unit Understandings

The following concepts will be covered throughout this Unit:

That knowing the criteria for success and the constraints (time and materials) of the design problem enables an efficient solution to be created..
How asking clear, focused questions can assist in defining a simple design problem.
How changing elements of a build affects its performance.

Lab Summary

Click on the following tabs for a summary of what the students will do and learn in each lab.

Lab 1 - Spring Time!

Main Focus Question: What questions do I need to ask to successfully modify a build to improve its performance?

Students will ask questions that focus their thoughts on constructing an understanding of a building challenge.

Students will practice using alternative solutions as they develop a deeper understanding of their knowledge surrounding a problem.

Unit Standards

Unit Standards will be addressed in every Lab within the Unit.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

3-5-ETS1-1: Engineering Design-Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

How Standard is Achieved: In Lab 1, Part 1, students will ask questions in order to understand the goal and any constraints surrounding the lab’s design problem (modifying the Spring Car in order to travel a greater distance when launched.) In the Midplay Break, students will discuss how asking crucial questions can be applied in real world situations. In Lab 1, Part 2, students will work together to modify the Spring Car to travel a specific distance using the defined criteria. Students will measure and record the distance of the modified Spring Car. During Share, students will discuss how having a clear understanding of the design problem t impacted the modification process to improve performance of the build.

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