SIERRA NEVADA JOURNEYS VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
WEEK 6 - engineering
This unit was developed with the Next Generation Science Standards in mind and includes Social Emotional Learning competencies. This unit was designed with science and engineering practices in mind. It introduces the Engineering Design Process and provides options for students to practice the Engineering Design Process.
These activities are listed in their recommended order which will help to deepen student understanding by building on concepts from activity to activity. However, they were also designed to provide students with enough information that they will make sense on their own.
Download Engineering Teacher’s Guide with suggestions for differentiation of lessons and additional notes. If you are using Google Classroom, consider using kamiapp.com to easily integrate activity pages which are created as PDF Fillable Forms.
Introduction to the Engineering Design Process
In this 3-minute animated video, students learn that engineers use math and science to solve problems. They learn the steps of the Engineering Design Process that engineers use to solve problems.
Engineering Design Process Graphic Organizer
Students fill in circles to complete the Engineering Design Process based on what they learned from the video (above).
Download Engineering Design Process Graphic Organizer Activity Page
Spanish Engineering Design Process Graphic Organizer Activity Page
The River Problem
Students fill in circles to complete the Engineering Design Process based on what they learn from the 5-minute animated video.
Matter and Properties
This video introduces the concepts of "matter" and "properties" through a hands-on sorting activity. The activity guide is to be used with the matter and properties video. Students will fill out definitions for matter and property. Students will be prompted to think about different examples of matter in their homes, and then complete a "Household Properties Scavenger Hunt."
Download Matter and Properties Scavenger Hunt Activity Page
Spanish Matter and Properties Scavenger Hunt Activity Page
Building bridges
This 5-minute video teaches students how to fold paper into three different shapes to create bridges.
Testing Bridges
In this 5-minute video students will be guided to test their paper bridges and record their results. They will compare the strength of different shapes and will brainstorm ways to improve their bridges.
Foil Boats Engineering Challenge
Students will build and test boats made out of only aluminum foil. Students test the structure of the boat by placing pennies inside until the boat sinks. These results are recorded and then attempted to be improved up.
Download Foil Boats Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Spanish Foil Boats Activity Engineering Challenge Page
At Home Classroom Engineering Challenge
Students will use the Engineering Design Process to maximize their home learning space to suit their needs to perform their best academically. Students think about the home environment and where they do their best work. They will also work with their families to create a learning space, test it and improve it!
Note card Towers Engineering Challenge
Students will build note card and tape towers. They will be testing different shapes to determine which will be the most stable. Then they will brainstorm ways to make their towers even taller.
Download Note Cards Towers Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Spanish Note Card Towers Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Paper Airplanes Engineering Challenge
Students will learn how to build a better paper airplane by following the steps of the Engineering Design Process. This lesson guides students though the steps to build a paper airplane and then challenges then to test and build a better airplane using certain constraints.
Download Paper Airplanes Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Oozing Oobleck
Students will experiment with cornstarch and water to understand the concept of the fluid and liquid states of materials.
Download Oozing Oobleck Activity Page
Spanish Oozing Oobleck Activity Page
Marble Run Engineering Challenge
Students will plan, design, build, and test their ideas for a marble run. Following these steps of the Engineering Design Process, students will be creative and problem solve how to create a working marble run in their own home.
Marble Run Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Spanish Marble Run Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Water Filtration Engineering Challenge
Students will test various way to filter dirty water using materials found at home to choose one material, or combine multiple together to filter out visible materials in water.
Download Water Filtration Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Spanish Water Filtration Engineering Challenge Activity Page
Mini Structures
Students will use the engineering design process to build structures out of gumdrops and toothpicks, to identify constraints and criteria, and to think critically about their designs.
Download Mini Structures Activity Page
Spanish Mini Structures Activity Page
Prosthetic Arm Engineering Challenge
Students will design a prosthetic arm with materials found around the house using the Engineering Design Process. They will need to create a prosthetic arm with three fingers to pick up a small object. The main constraint is that you cannot bend the fingers with the hand you wear it on; it must be done with a different body part!
Roller Coaster Engineering Challenge
Students will build a working roller coaster out of paper using the Engineering Design Process. Students will have to plan, build, and test their roller coasters to find the best design to help them create the best roller coaster. Students will also improve their coasters once they have tested them.
Biomimicry Shark Tank
Students will attempt to create an invention that address some aspect of pollution, using the principle of biomimicry. Students will follow along in a "game show" formatted power point and go through multiple rounds to create and asses their invention.
