http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_make_an_alarm/make_an_alarm.xmlactivitytext/xmlCenter for Engineering Educational Outreach, alarmbrainstormingdesignteamworkdesign

After reading the story "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary, students create an alarm system for something in the classroom, just as the main character Leigh does to protect his lunchbox from thieves. Students learn about alarms and use their creativity to devise an alarm system to protect their lockers, desk, or classroom door. Note: this activity can also be done without reading "Dear Mr. Henshaw."

Engineers are continually confronted with challenges to solve as thoroughly as possible. Typically they start with a simple solution and then redesign it in order to make the solution more reliable and efficient. Sometimes engineers are lucky and get it right the first time, but it is more typical for a product to go through several redesign phases to improve the product. The importance of alarm systems and where they are found. How to work in teams, with members having different roles. Design techniques and construction methods. Understanding the importance of cause and effect when designing an alarm.1440TeachEngineering.orghttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_make_an_alarm/group_worksheet.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_make_an_alarm/group_worksheet.pdfCleary, Beverly. Dear Mr. Henshaw. Camelot, New York, New York. 2000.S101F91AMassachusettsScience1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, i.e., weight, strength, hardness, and flexibility.35S10047AAMassachusettsScience2.1 Identify a problem that reflects the need for shelter, storage, or convenience.35S100D897MassachusettsScience2.2 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists.35S100EBE2MassachusettsScience2.3 Identify relevant design features (e.g., size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem.35United StatesCopyright 2012 - Center for Engineering Educational Outreach, Tufts Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-11-044Teacher