Activity (Hands-On)Grade 5
Home, Sweet Home!
Students create and test sheltersCopyright http://blogs.abc.net.au/.a/6a00e0097e4e68883301901e444b5a970b-pi
Student groups use kite string and wax paper shaped as leaves to build shelters to protect them from the rain. Then they test the shelters for durability and water resistance.
Through this lesson and activity, student teams complete the engineering design process used by practicing engineers including constructing and testing their designs. When faced with a challenge, engineers evaluate various potential solutions and select one that best meets the criteria for success.They build and test it, revising it until an acceptable solution is achieved.
- Learn about the characteristics, and make qualitative observations, of plants found in the Amazon rainforest.
- Design and build a model shelter from "local" materials.