The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
5 Chair Design Team
5 Chair Design Team
3rd -5th Grade STEM Lesson
Liana Gillespie
7/18/23
Notes for teachers
This is a good lesson to emphasize empathy. Students become a design team/company that will design a chair for a client.
The students will also use a budget to buy the items to build their chair.
List of Materials
Science and Engineering Practices
● ask questions and define problems
● develop and use models
● use mathematics and computational thinking
● construct explanations and design solutions
● engage in argument from evidence
● obtain, evaluate, and communicate information
Math Standards
Financial Reasoning
3.NBT.A Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.
Operations & Algebraic Thinking
4.OA.A.2: Multiply or divide within 1000 to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparison.
Mathematical Practices
3.MP.6 Attend to precision.
Objective(s):
Students will become a DESIGN TEAM. The team will be using the 4 C’s and the steps of the Design Process to produce an item for a chosen client. Students will focus on empathy to decide on components for the clients chair and use of a budget to buy items to build the chair.
Agenda
40 minutes
Introduction
Design Process review
4 C’s review
Choosing teams, passing out paper
Teams choosing client
Writing names on papers and client needs list.
40 minutes
Making individual blueprints
Comparing team blueprints
Deciding on ideas from each teammate
Creating team blueprint
Starting budget
Prepare your store
Agenda (continued)
40 minutes
Finishing budget and purchasing items
Begin construction
40 minutes
Construction
Construction usually takes about 3 class periods. I see how the teams are progressing and set a date for presentations.
40 minutes
Presentations
When we present our chairs I use something called 1 stay 2 stray, depending on how many you have in your teams. One person will stay and explain the chair, its features, and how does it solve the client’s problems and issues to the students that come to the table. After 5 minutes I have them switch with one of their partners and continue the process until everyone in their team has had an opportunity to present.
After this the students fill out the exit ticket and we have our class discussion.
Intro/Driving Question/Opening
You are going to become a DESIGN TEAM. Your team will be using the 4 C’s and the steps of the Design Process to produce an item for a chosen client.
Hands-on Activity Instructions
Assessment
Formative Assessment is gathered during the building and presentation of the designs. Continuous questioning of how each component is solving a problem for the client.
Differentiation
For students with reading difficulties: reading the client cards as a class and discussing what they mean.
Teacher made groups for peer support with reading and math.
Start by introducing basic design concepts like shape, size, color, and materials. Use simple language and visuals to help students understand these concepts.
Teach students to provide constructive feedback to their peers. Encourage them to be empathetic and kind while discussing each other's designs.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Marketing and Presentation: Include an element of marketing in the project. Have students create posters or presentations showcasing their chair designs, explaining their features and how they meet the client's needs.
3D Modeling: For more advanced learners, introduce basic 3D modeling software or tools that allow them to create digital representations of their chair designs. This adds a technological aspect to the project.