Smart Start Grant Showcase

Engineering Strand

Karen Blowers & Michelle Andrews

Skoi-Yase Primary

Waterloo CSD

GOAL(S) FOR LESSON:

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• Introduce Engineer Design process
• Work Collaboratively
• Use details from a story to drive learning

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CONNECTION TO STANDARDS:

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K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

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K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.

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ELA and NYS Library standards

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DESCRIPTION OF LEARNING ACTIVITY

• Students engaged in a read aloud during library: Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing
• Group discussion about the Circus, background knowledge
• Students were asked: How would you build a bridge strong enough to hold 21 Elephants? What supplies would you need?
• Introduced the Engineering Process: Create, Experiment and Improve.
• Students brainstormed ideas for shape, size, and materials. We compiled a list of supplies and sketched an idea for a strong bridge.
• Students took these sketches to Makerspace where they worked in groups of 3 to combine their ideas and choose the supplies they think would build the strongest bridge.
• Each group had 21 elephants that had to fit on the bridge
• Students brainstormed together and built a bridge
• Referred back to the Engineering process to make improvements and adjust learning throughout the experiment.

STUDENT LEARNING

• Students learned to work collaboratively in groups of 3-4 to reach their united goal
• Students followed the Engineer design process step by step to design their bridge
• Students recorded ideas, supplies and steps taken on their worksheet
• Students used trial and error to adjust their ideas through hands-on learning

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DESIGN OF THE

LEARNING ACTIVITY

What did it take to create this lesson? (What resources did you need? How did you secure them?)

• Age-appropriate Engineering Process
• 21 Elephants and supplies for each group
• Book - Library
• Materials - Makerspace supplies
• Previous knowledge on bridge structures

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CHALLENGES AND CHANGES

How did it go? What were challenges/what would you do differently?

• Time
• Coordinating schedules
• Limited supplies
• Rescheduled classes due to sickness - many students out during the experiment so rescheduled.

INFORMING MY PRACTICE

How did the experience inform your own practice and insights about Computer Science learning & teaching?

• Step-by-step process
• Creative process with open-ended solutions
• Show and tell

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