The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Dream Bedroom STEM Challenge (Mathematics)

​

Dream Bedroom STEM Challenge

A 4th Grade STEM Lesson

Marie Lombardi

October 2023

Notes for Teachers

Apply information from the video How to Design a Room Floor Plan in your rough sketch.

​

Blueprint (Floor Plan)

​

• Flooring, 4 walls, furniture, electrical outlets, door, window(s)
• Neatly drawn, straight lines using a ruler, labeled
• Find perimeter and area

​

3D Prototype (includes constraints-must haves)

�(Flooring, 4 walls, furniture, electrical outlets, door, window(s); all student made)

​

• The Dream Bedroom STEM Challenge can be presented at a STEM Showcase.

​

-Each slide has printable handouts or use the link below and print the entire lesson handouts.

​

​

Dream Bedroom STEM Challenge Link - Lesson Handouts

List of Materials

• Student Choice: Use a variety of materials to construct a 3D prototype (students may want to bring items from home to include in their bedroom)
• Suggestions: Cardboard boxes, rulers, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, glue, tape, paint, clay, bottles, paper towel rolls, fabric, ribbon, colored pencils, markers, graph paper,craft items for decor, craft jewels, etc.
• You can pick up free samples for flooring (carpet), paint, small pieces of wood.

Science & Engineering Practices

​

• Ask questions (for science) and define problems (for engineering)

​

• Develop and use models
• Plan and carrying out investigations
• Analyze and interpret data
• Use mathematics and computational thinking
• Construct explanations and design solutions
• Engage in argument from evidence
• Obtain evaluate, and communicate information

​

​

​

​

• ​
• ​

Standards

4th Grade Math Standards:

4.MD.C Geometric measurement: Understand concepts of angle and measure angles.

4.MD.A.3 Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in mathematical problems and problems in real-world contexts including problems with unknown side lengths.

4.G.A Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.

4.G.A.2 Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size (e.g., understand right triangles as a category,

​

Objective(s):

Students will work as a team using the Design Thinking Process to plan and create a bedroom of their dreams. Each team will present their dream bedroom to the their peers.

Agenda (lesson time)

Depending on ability level & classroom time, etc. this project can take from 2-4 weeks.

• Use a variety of materials to construct a 3D prototype of your dream bedroom.

​

• Use the base provided as the foundation.

​

• Refer to the Score Sheet for all project expectations.

​

​

Dream Bedroom Challenge

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

​

​

Your parents have decided to allow you to design the bedroom of your dreams. Use the Design Thinking Process to plan and create your dream bedroom.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

​

Apply information from the video How to Design a Room Floor Plan in your rough sketch.

​

Blueprint (Floor Plan)

​

• Flooring, 4 walls, furniture, electrical outlets, door, window(s)
• Neatly drawn, straight lines using a ruler, labeled
• Find perimeter and area

​

3D Prototype (includes constraints-must haves)

�(Flooring, 4 walls, furniture, electrical outlets, door, window(s); all student made)

​

Dream Bedroom STEM Challenge Link - Lesson Handouts

​

​

Your parents have decided to allow you to design the bedroom of your dreams. Use the Design Thinking Process to plan and create your dream bedroom.

​

Use the circle map below to brainstorm ideas to include in your dream bedroom design. (Define the Problem - Circle Map -Step 1 Handout)

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

Dream Bedroom

Sketch and draw a rough plan of your dream bedroom ideas.

​

​

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

Apply information from the video How to Design a Room Floor Plan in your rough sketch.

​

​

Generate Solutions: Step 2 (Handout)

​

Develop Solutions - Step 3

(Handout)

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

​

Dream Bedroom Blueprint

​

• Use the provided graph paper, pencil, and a straightedge to draw your blueprint. Be sure to label all features on your blueprint.�(1 inch = 1 foot)

Room Perimeter = ____ ft Room Area = ____ sq. ft

​

• Then make a list of all the materials you will need to construct your prototype. Check off each item as you acquire it.

​

Construction Solution - Step 4 Handout

​

​

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

Test & Evaluate - Step 5 Handout

​

Build your three-dimensional prototype using the provided base and acquired materials. Answer the following questions once your prototype is complete.

​

What is one thing that worked well? Explain.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

What is one thing that you had to change? Why?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

Describe or sketch your new solutions. (What changes did you make?)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

Present Solution - Step 6 Handout

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

Think about the main details regarding your project you would like to present. Order matters.

​

Driving Questions:

• What was the project task?

​

• Explain project constraints.

​

• Which features in your design were non- negotiable? (Must haves)

​

• Share your favorite feature.

​

• Ask for questions and feedback.

​

Talking Points

​

• ____________________________

____________________________

• ____________________________

____________________________

• ____________________________

____________________________

__________________________

​

​

Change & Adjust - Step 7 Handout

Date Completed:

_____ /_____ /_____

Teacher’s

Initials: ____________

Present your project to the peers in your group. Record any questions or feedback that you received.

​

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

Considering your feedback, what changes will you make before presenting at the STEM Showcase?

​

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Assessment

Dream Bedroom Challenge Score

Peer Feedback Score

Peer Feedback Form

Presenter: _______________________ Evaluator: __________________________

Assessment

Talking Points - Checklist

Talking Points

• Name and Grade

​

• Explain the project task/constraints.

​

• Explain how you used the Design Thinking Process in your project

​

• Which features in your design were non- negotiable? (Must haves)

​

• Share your favorite feature.

​

• Ask for questions and feedback.

Differentiation

• Allow student to use a calculator
• Give students math notes (formulas)
• Provide a checklist & frequent check-in
• Assign with fewer items per page
• Provide an outline for the lesson
• Allow student to look at other designs for ideas
• Allow more time to complete task

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• 3D Print
• Add more mathematical computations
• Add music to the design
• Add more requirements to design
• Add electrical/circuit challenges

​

​