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Cinderella STEM

A 5th grade STEM lesson

Patricia Blickfeldt

06-13-2023

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Notes for teachers

This is a follow up lesson after teaching Newton’s Laws. It is not required, but adds to the engineering process if they can explain what is happening.

This lesson assumes students know the story of Cinderella. If they do not, you may need to read a short version, or summarize the story.

This will be an engineering challenge. Students will work in teams to create a “coach” for Cinderella with specified requirements. They will self test and then redesign until they have a final model to present.

I generally had my students self test their first 2 designs and then test all together as a class their final product.

List of Materials

Instructions with constraints
Each team of 3-4 will need up to:

3 straws
4 life savers
2 paper clips
12 inches of tape
1 sheet of paper

Pencil and scissors for each group

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Standards -

Science

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

5.P3U1.4 - Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence of the effects that balanced and unbalanced forces have on the motion of objects.

Ask questions and define problems
construct explanations and design solutions
obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

Standards - Science and Engineering Practices

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Objectives:

Today students will use their engineering training to build a wind-powered coach to help Cinderella get to the ball.

Students will apply background knowledge about balanced and unbalanced forces to explain their engineering designs.

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Agenda (2 - 45-60 minute sessions)

Day one:

Introduce the challenge including the constraints and success criteria. (5 minutes)
Students have time in the alone zone to brainstorm and complete the “Ask” and “Imagine” portion of their sheet. (5-7 minutes)
In small groups of 3-4, students collaborate and complete a final design idea before getting supplies (5-7 minutes)
Students design and self test their coaches (2 minutes)
Students test their final designs with whole class and record progress.

Day two

Review and discuss Newton’s laws of motion. Students relate their trials to the laws of motion.
In their groups, students fill out claim, evidence, and reasoning

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Opening

A Coach for Cinderella-A Design Challenge

Oh no!! The fairy godmother was having an off night. Instead of turning the pumpkin and mice into a coach and horses, she made them all disappear. Cinderella needs help getting to the ball!

Your challenge:

Use your engineering training and knowledge of forces to build a wind-powered coach to help Cinderella get to the ball.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Students will spend time in the alone zone initially so that each student has a chance to explore their ideas.
You will want to have an idea of how you will group students ahead of time. It may be helpful to assign roles so that students know who will get supplies, keep time, record/report, etc.
Share constraints and success criteria ahead of time
It was helpful for me to have 1-2 spaces set up ahead of time for students to test as they engineered.
After team design, have two teams come and “race” their coaches as a test.

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Assessment

Use of forces vocabulary in discussion and building

The final write up of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning is a great way to assess whether students have made connections between their engineering project and the science concepts

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Differentiation

Initial grouping can be helpful for struggling students

As students are building, visit each group and have them explain their choices for building

Check frequently with students who show signs of struggle. Use probing questions or refer them to their notes for ideas.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Add a component for aesthetics

Have students create a sales pitch for their coach stating reasons it is the superior way of getting Cinderella to the ball.

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