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1. Process of Scientific Inquiry Graphic
2. Process of Scientific Inquiry Definitions
3. Process of Engineering Design Graphic
4. Process of Engineering Design Definitions
5. Habitat Cards
6. Animal Cards
7. Observations About the Bearded Dragon Handout
8. Observations About the Hissing Cockroach Handout
ENGINEER AN ANIMAL
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9. Observations About the Arctic Fox Handout
10. Design Plan Handout
11. Engineer an Animal Criteria and Constraints Checklist
12. Success Skills Graphic
13. Sample Answers, Student Handouts
14. Sample Answers, Explanation and Application
15. Sample Answers, Sample Project
ENGINEER AN ANIMAL
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PROCESS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
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Name of Stage | Definition |
Question | The main idea of the investigation, worded as an inquiry. |
Messing About | Exploratory time to study any supplies that will be used in an investigation, building confidence with the materials and brainstorming ideas. |
Prediction | An expected outcome of an investigation, based upon prior knowledge. Some predictions are hypotheses. The hypothesis describes the predicted relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. |
Investigation Plan | The steps developed and used to conduct the scientific inquiry. |
Observation | The process of gathering information from the investigation in a structured, methodical manner. |
Data Analysis | The process of working with the data collected, considering the information, and selecting which data will provide evidence to support the answer to the investigation question. |
Explanation | A set of statements providing the claim made by the student based on the evidence collected and supported by sound reasoning. |
Application | The meaningful use of newly constructed knowledge. |
Solve | The completed version of the design that best meets the criteria, fits the constraints, and has gone through careful testing and refinement. |
Evaluation | The self-assessment process used by the student to critique the inquiry investigation. |
PROCESS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY DEFINITIONS
Personal Knowledge: What the student already knows about �the topic. | Secondary Knowledge: Content gathered from outside sources to develop scientific understanding and explain the results of the investigation. |
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PROCESS OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
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Name of Stage | Definition |
Problem | The main challenge of the design, including the criteria (what the solution needs to do) and the constraints (the limits or rules that must be followed). |
Messing About | Exploratory time to study any supplies that will be used in an investigation, building confidence with the materials and brainstorming ideas. |
Plan | The steps created to guide the design process, including sketches, materials lists, and descriptions of how the solution will be built and tested. |
Build | The process of creating a first version (or prototype) of the design solution based on the plan. |
Test | Trying out the design to see how well it works, focusing on how it meets the criteria and fits within the constraints. |
Observe | The process of gathering information about how the design performs, using clear and consistent methods during testing. |
Analyze | Looking closely at the test results to find patterns, problems, and successes. This helps determine if the design works and what can be improved. |
Refine | Making changes to the design based on what was observed and analyzed, then repeating the test–observe–analyze process to improve the solution. |
Solve | The completed version of the design that best meets the criteria, fits the constraints, and has gone through careful testing and refinement. |
Evaluation | The process of reflecting on the entire engineering design experience—how the problem was solved, what could be better, and how well the solution meets the original goal. |
PROCESS OF ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFINITIONS
Personal Knowledge: What the student already knows about �the topic. | Secondary Knowledge: Content gathered from outside sources to develop scientific understanding and explain the results of the investigation. |
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HABITAT CARDS
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ANIMAL CARDS
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OBSERVATIONS ABOUT �THE BEARDED DRAGON
Directions: CIRCLE the animal if it can survive in the habitat. Draw an X on the animal if it cannot survive in the habitat.
Use the diagram to circle the parts of the bearded dragon that help it survive.
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OBSERVATIONS ABOUT
THE HISSING COCKROACH
Use the diagram to circle the parts of the hissing cockroach that help it survive.
Directions: CIRCLE the animal if it can survive in the habitat. Draw an X on the animal if it cannot survive in the habitat.
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OBSERVATIONS ABOUT�THE ARCTIC FOX
Directions: CIRCLE the animal if it can survive in the habitat. Draw an X on the animal if it cannot survive in the habitat.
Use the diagram to circle the parts of the arctic fox that help it survive.
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DESIGN PLAN
Circle the materials you will use.
Draw a design for the animal you will build.
Clothespins | Construction Paper | Wooden Craft Sticks | Feathers | Glue | Masking Tape | Pipe Cleaners |
Plastic Cups | Pom-poms | Scissors | Clear Tape | Straws | String | Toothpicks |
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ENGINEER AN ANIMAL
CRITERIA AND CONSTRAINTS CHECKLIST
Criteria
Constraints
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SUCCESS SKILLS
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SAMPLE ANSWERS
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE BEARDED DRAGON
Directions: CIRCLE the animal if it can survive in the habitat. Draw an X on the animal if it cannot survive in the habitat.
Use the diagram to circle the parts of the bearded dragon that help it survive.
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OBSERVATIONS ABOUT
THE HISSING COCKROACH
Use the diagram to circle the parts of the hissing cockroach that help it survive.
Directions: CIRCLE the animal if it can survive in the habitat. Draw an X on the animal if it cannot survive in the habitat.
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OBSERVATIONS ABOUT�THE ARCTIC FOX
Directions: CIRCLE the animal if it can survive in the habitat. Draw an X on the animal if it cannot survive in the habitat.
Use the diagram to circle the parts of the arctic fox that help it survive.
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DESIGN PLAN
Circle the materials you will use.
Draw a design for the animal you will build.
Clothespins | Construction Paper | Wooden Craft Sticks | Feathers | Glue | Masking Tape | Pipe Cleaners |
Plastic Cups | Pom-poms | Scissors | Clear Tape | Straws | String | Toothpicks |
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SAMPLE ANSWERS - FOR TEACHER USE
EXPLANATION AND APPLICATION
A(n) bearded dragon uses a long tongue to survive by quickly capturing insects and bringing them to its mouth.
A(n) hissing cockroach uses antennae to survive by sensing the world around it to find food and water.
A(n) arctic fox uses thick fur to survive by staying warm in a very cold habitat.
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SAMPLE ANSWERS - FOR TEACHER USE
SAMPLE PROJECT
This animal can survive well in a(n) rainforest. It can survive in this habitat because it has adaptations like wings. This helps the animal fly high above the trees and stay safe.
Wings made of feathers to soar over trees
Beak made of a clothespin to eat food in its habitat
A tail made of pipe cleaners to balance
Claws made of toothpicks to catch food