The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Gardening Tools

Gardening Tools

A 5th grade STEM lesson

Jennifer Bargos

4/16/24

Notes for teachers

This lesson goes along with our school greenhouse garden that the kids have been working on.

We completed this lesson in groups of 3-4.

The lesson should take one hour to complete.

List of Materials

• Paper and pencils for sketching and note-taking
• Various crafting materials (e.g., cardboard, tape, glue, scissors)
• Rulers, measuring tapes
• Basic calculators (optional)
• Gardening tools for reference (optional)
• Computer or tablet with internet access for research (optional)

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Standards

Science and Engineering Practices:

• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Students are expected to apply scientific principles and engineering design to solve practical problems, such as designing a gardening tool.
• Planning and Carrying Out Investigations: Students plan and conduct investigations collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence.

Mathematical Practices:

• Modeling with Mathematics: Applying mathematics to real-world scenarios, such as measuring and calculating dimensions and quantities in the context of designing and testing a gardening tool.
• Reasoning Abstractly and Quantitatively: Using mathematical reasoning to analyze and solve problems related to gardening solutions.

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Standards

Crosscutting Concepts:

• Systems and System Models: Understanding how components of a system (e.g., a gardening tool) work together to achieve specific functions.
• Cause and Effect: Identifying relationships between variables in the design and performance of a gardening solution.

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5th Grade AZ Math Standards

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5.MD.C Geometric measurement: Understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition.

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Objectives:

Today students will apply the STEM process to design and create a practical gardening tool or solution that solves a specific problem or improves a gardening task. Mathematics will be integrated to calculate dimensions, measurements, and ratios in the design and testing phases.

Agenda

Introduction: 10 minutes

Planning and Designing: 20 minutes

Building and Testing: 20 minutes

Conclusion: 10 minutes

Extension: 60 minutes

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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Begin by discussing with students the importance of gardening and the challenges people face when gardening (e.g., weeding, watering, planting).

Review the STEM process (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and explain that engineers use this process to solve problems.

Discuss some of the examples of a gardening problem we have experienced (e.g., a tool for easier weeding, a device to measure soil moisture) and discuss possible solutions.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Brainstorming: Divide students into small groups and have them brainstorm different gardening problems they could solve with an engineered solution.

Research: If resources allow, students can use the internet or provided materials to research existing gardening tools and solutions.

Design: Each group sketches at least two designs for their gardening tool or solution. Encourage them to label parts and think about materials they will use. Discuss how they can use measurements and proportions in their designs.

Construction: Provide materials and have each group construct a prototype of their chosen design. Encourage them to measure and calculate dimensions as they build.

Testing: Once prototypes are built, groups test their creations to see if they effectively solve the gardening problem they identified. Measure and record data such as efficiency, time taken, or improvements needed.

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Mathematics Integration: During testing, have students calculate areas, volumes, or proportions related to their designs. For example:

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Calculate the surface area of a watering device.

Measure and compare the volume of water delivered by different watering designs.

Use ratios to optimize the design of a planting tool for depth and spacing.

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Reflection: Gather students together to discuss their experiences. Ask:

• How did mathematics help you in designing and testing your gardening tool?
• What mathematical concepts did you use?
• How did measurements and calculations affect your design choices?

Presentation: Optionally, allow each group to present their design, demonstrate how it works, and explain the mathematical principles involved.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their participation in brainstorming, planning and testing stages, creativity and practicality of the design, integration of mathematical concepts and accuracy in measurements and calculations, and their ability to reflect on the engineering process and suggest improvements.

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Differentiation

Pre-plan groups to account for students who may need additional support in the engineering process or mathematical computations.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

• Have students research and present on mathematical concepts used in famous engineering designs related to gardening.

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• Explore the use of data collection and analysis in optimizing agricultural and gardening tools.

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