Title of lesson:



Technological Design Lessons Integrated With Ohio Science Standards

5th Grade

Downhill Racer . . . . . . . . p. 2

Ecosystem Game . . . . . . . . p. 4

Ecosystem Model . . . . . . . p. 5

Solar Cooker . . . . . . . . p. 6

Sound Insulation . . . . . . . . p. 8

Telescope . . . . . . . . . p. 9

Title of lesson: Downhill Racers

Grade level: 5th Grade

Science content statement addressed:

Physical Science

Light, Sound and Motion

The amount of change in movement of an object is based on the weight of the object and the amount of force exerted

Overview:

Students design vehicles from found materials (plastic litter bottle or small juice can car bodies, bottle lids for wheels, etc.) and test the effect of different weights on the cars as they roll down a ramp.

Duration: Three 60 minute sessions

Materials:

• Found materials to make the cars (plastic bottles, juice cans, plastic tops or lids, wooden dowel rods)

• Modeling clay sticks to act as weights for the cars

• Tennis ball

• Cord

• Ramp

• Protractor

• Yardstick or tape measure

• Stopwatch

Procedure:

• Students design vehicles from found materials (plastic litter bottle or small juice can car bodies, bottle lids for wheels, etc.) and test the effect of different weights on the cars as they roll down a ramp.

• Force could be measured by hanging a tennis ball on a cord at the end of the ramp and measuring the angle the ball swings away from the ramp when the car hits it (the larger the swing angle, the more force the car had).

• The ball could also be removed to allow the car to continue off the ramp onto a smooth floor (tile or linoleum). The distance and time the car traveled beyond the ramp could be used to calculate the car's speed

Assessment:

Students can use their measurements and data to observe how changes in a car’s weight affects the amount of force it generates while moving.

Title of lesson: Ecosystem Game

Grade level: 5th Grade

Science content statement addressed:

Life Sciences

Interactions With Ecosystems

Organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem

Overview:

Students create a board game that simulates different organisms that live in a specific ecosystem. Different environmental factors will impact the organisms' populations as the game is played out.

Duration: Three 60 minute sessions

Materials:

• Posterboard

• Game pieces (purchased or homemade)

• Index cards

• Dice or spinner (purchased or homemade)

• Pictures of animals and plants from the same ecosystem

• Coloring materials

• Scissors

• Glue

Procedure:

Students research the organisms that live in a certain ecosystem and learn how they interact with each other and the roles each plays in the ecosystem

Students work in teams to create a board game that simulates different organisms that live in a specific ecosystem.

Different environmental factors or actions of the organisms will impact the organisms' populations as the game is played out.

Assessment:

Students describe the different factors that affect the organisms that live in a certain ecosystem and their impacts on those organisms.

Title of lesson: Ecosystem Model

Grade level: 5th Grade

Science content statement addressed:

Life Sciences

Interactions Within Ecosystems

All of the processes that take place within organisms require energy

Overview:

Students research how the organisms living in a particular ecosystem interact with each other and meet their energy needs. A 3D exhibit of the ecosystem could be set up like a zoo or natural history display

Duration: Four 60 minute sessions

Materials:

• Construction materials (cardstock, carboard, clay, coloring materials, paper fasteners, various found materials)

• Scissors

• Glue

• Optional – electric circuits with light bulbs, for example, Christmas lights

Procedure:

• Students research how the organisms living in a particular ecosystem interact with each other and meet their energy needs.

• A 3D exhibit of the ecosystem could be set up like a zoo or natural history display, i

• The exhibit could inform visitors through models and signage about the energy flow through the system.

• Optional: electric circuits could be switched on to illuminate different organisms and the information about them in the exhibit.

Assessment:

Student model and signage should reflect how different processes in their eosystem requires energy.

Title of lesson: Solar Cooker

Grade level: 5th Grade

Science content statement addressed:

Earth and Space Science

Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System

The sun is one of many stars that exist in the universe

Overview:

Students research different models of solar cookers and build one that allows them to make adjustments to maximize the intensity of the sun's rays throughout the day.

Duration: Three 60 minute sessions

Materials:

• Aluminum foil

• Cardboard

• Glue

• Scissors

• Ruler

• Pencil

• Cooking pot

• Plastic bag or plastic wrap

• Other found materials based on the design used.

Procedure:

• Students research types of solar cookers (see resources for sites)

• They work in teams to design or modify a solar cooker that can be adjusted throughout the day to maximize the effect of the sun’s rays as the earth revolves and changes the location of the sun in the sky.

• They build, test and modify their design, measuring the temperature of heated water as a basis of testing their design.

Assessment:

Students learn that the sun provides almost all the energy for the Earth and other planets in the solar system

Resources:

YouTube video of solar cookers



Wiki for solar cooking



Principles of Solar box design



Solar cooker models



Here’s one designed by 5th graders at Dublin, Ohio!

(scroll down screen and click on Dublin, OH class cooker)

Title of lesson: Sound Insulation

Grade level: 5th Grade

Science content statement addressed:

Physical Science

Light, Sound and Motion

Light and sound are forms of energy that behave in predictable ways

Overview:

Students research soundproofing materials and find a way to best silence an alarm clock in a box

Duration: Three 60 minute sessions

Materials:

• Soundproofing materials suggested and brought in by students (cotton balls, fabrics, newspapers, packing peanuts, etc.)

• Other found materials that students want to include in their design, approved by teacher

• Small box to hold alarm clock

• Alarm clock

• Decibel reader to measure the amount of sound (optional – about $30 at an electronics store or general department superstore)

Procedure:

Students research soundproofing materials

They work in teams to find a way to best silence an alarm clock in a box.

Assessment:

Students learn that sound waves are forms of energy that can be controlled in predictable ways.

Title of lesson: Telescope

Grade level: 5th Grade

Science content statement addressed:

Earth and Space Sciences

Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System

The solar system includes the sun and all celestial bodies that orbit the sun. Each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics

Physical Science

Light, Sound and Motion

Light and sound are forms of energy that behave in predictable ways

Overview:

Students build a telescope from paper towel rolls and simple lenses that can be adjusted for different distances. The students then use their telescopes to observe different objects in the solar system and record their findings

Duration: Three 60 minute sessions

Materials:

• A variety of lenses from local eye doctor

• Paper roll tubes

• Scissors

• Tape

Procedure:

• Obtain a variety of old lenses from a local eye doctor

• Allow students time to explore looking through single lenses and pairs of lenses. Students should observe different capabilities and powers of the single lenses.

• Next have students investigate pairs of lenses and how they interact with each other. Have them make notes and measurements as to which combinations produce the sharpest images of objects the farthest away.

• Students build a telescope from paper towel rolls and simple lenses that can be adjusted for different distances, with either different slots in the tubes, or sliding tubes.

• The students then use their telescopes to observe different objects in the solar system and record their findings.

Assessment:

Students use their telescopes to observe and record objects they see in the solar system.

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