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Notes for teachers

You may choose to be more specific on the context/ scenario in which they are creating the prototype for.
The graphic organizers can be downloaded free of charge
The text may be lengthy, you may opt to read it individually or through reading circles. It is important that the students understand the importance of prosthetics to make the lives of people and animals better.
For added information, the following websites may be useful:

https://www.vivifystem.com/blog/2022/prostheticstem

https://jordanthomasfoundation.org/

https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/uof-2712-prosthetics-power-engineering-design-activity

List of Materials

A copy of the text “Winter’s Tail”. A read-aloud is also available in here.
Information text graphic organizer.
Dolphin Tail Prototype Mission Challenge video
Copies of Prosthetic Party worksheet
A copy of Images of Example Prototype Prostheses
Chromebooks
Materials list for the Prosthetic Making Activity (see list in this website)
Prosthetic Prototype Rubric

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Standards

MATH

5.MP.4 Model with mathematics. Mathematically proficient students apply the mathematics they know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace. When given a problem in a contextual situation, they identify the mathematical elements of a situation and create a mathematical model that represents those mathematical elements and the relationships among them. Mathematically proficient students use their model to analyze the relationships and draw conclusions. They interpret their mathematical results in the context of the situation and reflect on whether the results make sense, possibly improving the model if it has not served its purpose.

Standards

ELA

5.RI.3 Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, based on specific information in the text.
5.RI.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.

SCIENCE

5.P3U1.4 Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.
5.P3U2.5 Define problems and design solutions pertaining to force and motion.

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Objectives:

At the end of this 90- minute lesson, the students will be able to:

describe the life of Winter, the dolphin.
understand the engineering behind prosthetics.
identify the engineering design process.
design and build their leg prosthetic prototypes.
present and evaluate their own prosthetic leg design.
understand the importance of not giving up.
realize the importance of working together toward a common goal.

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Agenda

ENGAGE: : Discussion of the Big Idea (What benefits come from people working as a group?) and reading “Winter’s Tail”(30 minutes)
EXPLORE: The Making of Winter’s Tail, Making of Their Own Tail Prototype (15 minutes)
EXPLAIN: Engineering Design Process (15 minutes)

ELABORATE: Prosthetic Party: Build and Test Replacement Legs (45 minutes)
EVALUATE: Prototype Presentation– rubric found here (30 minutes)

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

Show the class a picture of Winter. Give time for the students to watch a video about Winter and how a group of scientists and doctors from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium helped her utilize her prosthetic tail. The video may be found here.
Read the story of Winter. Allow the students to understand the importance of prosthetics and how what it takes to create the right one.
List down and discuss the vocabulary words that the students would be utilizing as they go through the lesson.

amputee: A person who has had a limb removed.
bioengineering: The use of artificial tissues, organs or organ components to replace damaged or absent parts of the body, such as artificial limbs and heart pacemakers. Source: The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, http://encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-bioengineering.html
biomedical engineer: An occupation that includes designing artificial body parts.
engineer: A person who applies his/her understanding of science and math to creating things for the benefit of humanity and our world.
prosthesis: An artificial body part to replace a missing one. Plural: prostheses.
prosthetics: A specialty of medicine and engineering that designs, constructs and fits artificial limbs and body parts (prostheses).
prototype: An original, full-scale and usually working model of a new product, or new version of an existing product. Source: American Heritage Dictionary: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Prototype

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Before the Activity:

Gather materials and make copies of the Prosthetic Party Worksheet, make sure that each student receives a copy.
Discuss with the class the Images of Example Prototype Prostheses, for how students might create their own prostheses, and ideas to address comfort and lifelikeness.

With the Students

Divide the class into enough teams so each has a different structural prosthetic material.
Based on the discussion on the story of Winter, lead a pre-activity discussion and brainstorming session so students have a good understanding of the various prosthetic requirements and material resources to meet these needs.

Retrieved from: https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_biomed_lesson01_activity1

Photo Retrieved from: https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_biomed_lesson01_activity1

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Explain to the students that when engineers design a new or improved product, they work in groups and follow the steps of the engineering design process: 1) understand the problem or need, 2) come up with creative ideas, 3) select the most promising idea, 4) communicate and make a plan to describe the idea, 5) create or build a prototype or model of the design, and 6) evaluate what you have made.
Allow the teams to be as creative as they can as they gather different material resources with which to construct their prostheses. Make available other materials for the students to consider incorporating into their design.
Hand out the prepared activity worksheets and have students follow along throughout the activity. The students may ask questions throughout the activity.
Have students discuss ideas within their groups, while completing the first page of the worksheet.
Have each group choose one teammate for whom to make the prosthesis. So that the prosthesis fits him/her, measure that student's lower leg from where it bends at the knee.

Photo Retrieved from: https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/cub_biomed_lesson01_activity1

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Assessment

Give time for the students to present their prototypes. Make sure to use the rubric (link in the supplies) to grade the presentations.
Discuss the big idea by looking into how having one goal and working as a group can help save other people’s lives and make things easier for them.

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Differentiation

Some students may take time in completing the prosthetics, make sure that the grouping of the students are intentional, and that the students who work well with manipulatives are grouped with students who are comfortable with explaining and presenting the activities.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

The students may also a have a small group discussion on how important prosthetics are and how prosthetics may change the lives of people or animals that use them.
Allow the students to watch the video that was made in memory of Winter in here. The students may then discuss or write a reflection paper on the inspiring story of Winter on not allowing hardships to stop them in doing what they are supposed to do..

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