The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Hibernation and Insulation
Hibernation and Insulation
A 1st-2nd grade STEM lesson
Leanne Phillips
January 31, 2024
Notes for teachers
> Words for the students to know: shelter, hibernate, and insulate
List of Materials per group of 3
Standards
NGSS
ETS1.A.3-5.1
Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). The success of a designed solution is determined by considering the desired features of a solution (criteria). Different proposals for solutions can be compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria for success or how well each takes the constraints into account. (3-5-ETS1-1) (secondary to 4-PS3-4)
SEP 2.3
Develop a model using an analogy, example, or abstract representation to describe a scientific principle or design solution.
Standards
ARIZONA STANDARDS
2.L2U1.10
Develop a model representing how life on Earth depends on energy from the Sun and energy from other organisms.
1.L4U3.11
Ask questions and explain how factors can cause species to go extinct.
Objective:
Students will be able to explore animal adaptations and experiment with various forms of insulation.
Agenda 45 minutes
ENGAGE:
After asking the Driving Questions, show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhrhcsICrE8 3:46 mins
Have students cut out 2 pictures of animals and tape them to Dixie size cups. These are the animals that they are going to build a shelter for.
EXPLORE:
Hand out the materials that are on a tray. Go over the materials with the students. They will have tape and scissors. Remember the plate is the base of the shelter/cave. Students can start building their structure.
EXPLAIN:
Get the students attentions and show this video on insulation. 1:13 mins
Agenda 45 minutes continued
ELABORATE:
Have students continue building and finishing up their structure. Remind them that their animals should be inside the structure.
EVALUATE:
Have the students do a gallery walk around the tables to look at the different structures and see how the students used the materials to insulate their structures.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
What does hibernation mean? Who hibernates? What other means of getting out of the cold do animals do for the winter? (migrate)
Has anyone heard of insulation? What is it? Have you ever been in an attic and seen the pink stuff that looks like cotton candy?
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Assessment
You will want to make sure that the students are understanding the concept of building a cave and adding insulation to keep their animals warm. The younger students will get off task and will start to decorate. As you are walking around, ask questions about what materials they are using to keep their animals warm and why they choose those materials.
REFLECTION: How did you insulate your shelter? What types of things need to be insulated? What would you do differently next time?
Differentiation
Show a picture of a cave so that students have an understanding of what a cave structure looks like. Assist with getting the cave built for them and they can insulate the cave for their animals.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
These students can see if they can fit more animals into their shelter or try to put their shelter together with someone else’s.