Arizona STEM

Acceleration Project

Paper Human House

Paper Human House

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A 5th or 7th Grade STEM Lesson

Mitzi Noreen Cantillep

06/03/2024

Notes for Teachers

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• This lesson takes place in a classroom for one hour.
• Students may work in small groups of 2-3.
• An emphasis on the target product (a sturdy human house made of newspapers that can withstand wind force from fan - decide what fan number are you having to test their designs).
• Creative solutions should be encouraged.

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List of Materials:

• Newspapers (minimum of 10 newspaper sheets per group)
• Tape
• Electric fan (to test the product)

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Arizona Science Standards

Physical Science:

7.P2U1.2 Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

5.P2U1.3 Construct an explanation using evidence to demonstrate that objects can affect other objects even when they are not touching.

5.P3U2.5 Define problems and design solutions pertaining to force and motion.

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Science and Engineering Practices:

● ask questions and define problems

● develop and use models

● plan and carry 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

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Arizona ELA Standards

7.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one‐on‐one, in groups, and teacher‐led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

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7.SL.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, appropriate vocabulary, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

5.SL.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, using formal English when appropriate to task and situation. (See grade 5 Language standards 1 and 3 for specific expectations.)

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Objectives:

• Today we will explain how a net force is required for an object’s movement to change.

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• Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to complete an engineering design challenge.

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• Today we will be able to design and engineer a paper human house that can withstand wind force.

Agenda (50 minutes)

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• What is Force?

(5 mins)

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• Engineering a Paper Human House

(30 mins)

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• Time to Present

(10 mins)

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• Time for Peer and Teacher Feedback

(5 mins)

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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What things should we consider in building a house?

What is force?

A force is a push or pull on an object that causes it to move faster or slower, stop, change direction, or change size or shape.

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Instructions

In a group of 2-3, design a sturdy human house made of newspapers that can withstand wind force from a fan.

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Constraints:

• minimum of 10 newspaper sheets
• tape
• 30 minutes

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How do we assess our work?

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• We present and test the design
• We seek feedback

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Paper Human House Rubrics

Differentiation

One way to differentiate in this lesson is to probe students on ways they can do to make their paper house sturdy. You can lead them in focusing on the foundations of the house. Help them brainstorm on what they can do to make the foundations sturdier.

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Remediation

Extension

Students who are successful right away can plan and improve their human paper house, make its foundations stronger. Especially, they can also look at other portions of the house that needs attention. Let them review the rubrics so they know what else they can do.

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