The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Taco Tuesday- Design and Run a Taco Truck

Taco Tuesday- Design and Run a Taco Truck

A 2nd Grade STEM Lesson

Michelle Sánchez

June 2023

Notes for Teachers

In this lesson students will investigate different types of Taco Trucks to design their own robot model. Students will create a menu for their Taco Truck, and will drive this Truck to other groups, practicing taking their orders, calculating totals, and giving change.

You may need to divide this lesson into multiple sessions to give students sufficient time.

List of Materials

• Edison robots
• TV remote control
• Edison barcodes to program remote
• batteries for both robot and remote control
• LEGOs and other materials as needed for students to be creative with their robot
• Design Sheet
• Menu Sheet
• Paper and other materials for students to create their menu
• Play money to use with groups once the Taco Trucks are finished. Each group should receive bills to use for change as appropriate.

Standards

Math:

2.MD.C.8 Solve word problems involving collections of money, including dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Record the total using $ and ¢ appropriately.

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Arizona Science Standards Crosscutting Concept:

The way an object is shaped or structured determines many of its properties and functions.

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Ed Technology:

K-2.4.a. Students, with guidance, ask questions, suggest solutions, test ideas to solve problems, and share their learning.

K-2.5.d. Students discuss and develop an understanding of how technology is used to make a task easier or repeatable and can identify real-world examples.

Objective(s):

We are learning to apply our knowledge of money to a business.

Success criteria:

When I can collaborate with others to design a vehicle that would meet the needs of a taco truck.

When I can create a menu for the taco truck with appropriate prices.

When I can calculate the total cost of the orders of other students and tell how much change should be returned.

When I can create a taco truck order that does not exceed the amount of money I have.

Agenda

• Review examples of taco trucks.
• Brainstorm the elements of a taco truck that are necessary.
• Students construct their taco truck with their group.
• Students then design the menu, choosing the prices for each menu item.
• Practice driving the taco truck and taking orders from other groups.

Opening

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Have you ever purchased food from a taco truck? What did the truck look like? Why did the truck have each of those items?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• In groups of 2-4 (depending on the number of robots available).
• Decide on a design for your truck.
• Once you have designed your truck and have it approved by your teacher, you can build it using the LEGOs and other supplies.
• You can then program it to work with your remote control.

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Now for the menu…

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What items do you want to offer in your taco truck? What price will you charge for them?

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• As a group, decide what menu items your truck will sell.
• Each student will have $20 to spend at your truck, so keep this in mind as you decide your prices!

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Time to try out our Taco Trucks!

• Take turns driving your Taco Truck to the other groups around the room in groups of 2.
• One person drives the truck.
• The second person take the order and gives change. Don’t forget to give them their receipt!

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Students not driving or taking orders can order from the other trucks that drive by.

Assessment

Collection of the receipts from each purchase and the design of each phase.

Math- looking at the calculation of the total and the change due.

Differentiation

Struggling students can have the support of other students in their group.

Additionally, manipulatives and whiteboards can be provided for these students to calculate the totals.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students ready for higher math can create a menu which includes both dollars and cents as the prices.