Students act as if they are biological engineers following the steps of …
Students act as if they are biological engineers following the steps of the engineering design process to design and create protein models to replace the defective proteins in a child’s body. Jumping off from a basic understanding of DNA and its transcription and translation processes, students learn about the many different proteins types and what happens if protein mutations occur. Then they focus on structural, transport and defense proteins during three challenges posed by the R&D; bio-engineering hypothetical scenario. Using common classroom supplies such as paper, tape and craft sticks, student pairs design, sketch, build, test and improve their own protein models to meet specific functional requirements: to strengthen bones (collagen), to capture oxygen molecules (hemoglobin) and to capture bacteria (antibody). By designing and testing physical models to accomplish certain functional requirements, students come to understand the relationship between protein structure and function. They graph and analyze the class data, then share and compare results across all teams to determine which models were the most successful. Includes a quiz, three worksheets and a reference sheet.
Students learn how to manipulate the behavior of water by using biochar—a …
Students learn how to manipulate the behavior of water by using biochar—a soil amendment used to improve soil functions. As a fluid, water interacts with soil in a variety of ways. It may drain though a soil’s non-solid states, or its “pores”; lay above the soil; or move across cell membranes via osmosis. In this experiment, students solve the specific problem of standing water by researching, designing, and engineering solutions that enable water to drain faster. This activity is designed for students to explore how biochar helps soils to act as “sponges” in order to retain more water.
Students learn how engineers gather data and model motion using vectors. They …
Students learn how engineers gather data and model motion using vectors. They learn about using motion-tracking tools to observe, record, and analyze vectors associated with the motion of their own bodies. They do this qualitatively and quantitatively by analyzing several examples of their own body motion. As a final presentation, student teams act as engineering consultants and propose the use of (free) ARK Mirror technology to help sports teams evaluate body mechanics. A pre/post quiz is provided.
Student pairs are given 10 minutes to create the biggest box possible …
Student pairs are given 10 minutes to create the biggest box possible using one piece of construction paper. Teams use only scissors and tape to each construct a box and determine how much puffed rice it can hold. Then, to meet the challenge, they improve their designs to create bigger boxes. They plot the class data, comparing measured to calculated volumes for each box, seeing the mathematical relationship. They discuss how the concepts of volume and design iteration are important for engineers. Making 3-D shapes also supports the development of spatial visualization skills. This activity and its associated lesson and activity all employ volume and geometry to cultivate seeing patterns and understanding scale models, practices used in engineering design to analyze the effectiveness of proposed design solutions.
In this context-setting lesson, students will run and collect data from a …
In this context-setting lesson, students will run and collect data from a simple simulation in Sprite Lab. After running the simulation multiple times, students will have an opportunity to predict how changing a variable in the simulation might impact the outcome and test that hypothesis. This lesson aligns to national Computer Science standards from CSTA.
This lesson combines skill-building around events with a mini-project where students get …
This lesson combines skill-building around events with a mini-project where students get to build their own computer simulation in Sprite Lab. Students will study the simulation to understand how quickly a virus can spread and what can be done to slow it down. This lesson aligns to national Computer Science standards from CSTA.
In this exploratory lesson, students will train a machine learning model by …
In this exploratory lesson, students will train a machine learning model by classifying fish and other objects. This lesson aligns to national Computer Science standards from CSTA.
This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach third …
This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach third graders about calculating and comparing capacities with illustrations (metric units).
This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach second …
This short video and interactive assessment activity is designed to teach second graders about capacity comparison problems with illustrations - word problems.
In this lesson students will listen to a story of a boy …
In this lesson students will listen to a story of a boy with chicken pox and participate in a class discussion of chicken pox and what to do when you have a contagious disease. They will incorporate math by graphing who in the class has had the disease. They will draw chicken pox on an outline of a child, then practice mathematical concepts with the spots.
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