Preview
Report
Author:
Lee Ann Holmes
Subject:
Engineering
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Level:
Lower Primary, Upper Primary
Tags:
Design Thinking, K-5 Design Thinking, K-5Engineering, MCS Digital, STEM, design-thinking, k-5-design-thinking, k-5engineering, mcs-digital, stem
License:
Creative Commons Attribution
Language:
English
Version History

Education Standards

Introduction to the Engineering Design Process: Saving Sam

Introduction to the Engineering Design Process: Saving Sam

Overview

You and your partner will each receive one paper clip. You may touch the boat, life preserver and Sam with only this paper clip.  You are not allowed to touch Sam and the listed items with your hands. At no time may you injure Sam by stabbing him. If you drop him, he has drowned and you must start over.

Instructor Directions

Engineering Design Process

 

Driving Question / ScenarioSam has been enjoying boating on the lake but he frequently forgets to put on his life preserver. He never learned to swim and disaster has struck. Sam’s boat has capsized! He was able to crawl on top of his boat but as luck would have it, his life preserver is under his boat. Sam needs your help to not only reach the life preserver but to put it on so he won’t drown.
Project SummaryYou and your partner will each receive one paper clip. You may touch the boat, life preserver and Sam with only this paper clip.  You are not allowed to touch Sam and the listed items with your hands.  At no time may you injure Sam by stabbing him. If you drop him, he has drowned and you must start over.
Estimated Time30 Minutes
Materials / Resources2 Paper Clips, Cup, Gummy Worm, Gummy Life Saver Candy
Standardsn/a
Project Outline
AskCan you save Sam the gummy worm from drowning?  Students generate questions to clarify materials, constraints, time, etc.
ImagineBrainstorm and choose a solution.  Students work together to come up with an idea they hope to try to solve the task successfully
PlanDraw your solution, talk through it with your partner.
CreateTest your plan and solve the problem in 5 minutes or less.
ImproveWhat Worked?What was really difficult?Did teamwork make a difference in your success?Try it again, this time you have 3 minutes to complete the challenge.
Closure / Student ReflectionsStudents share out the strategies that worked and didn’t work.  
Possible Modifications / ExtensionsFind a new solution that you have not tried in the pastSolve the problem with ONLY using your non-dominant handSolve the problem with one hand behind your backSolve the problem WITHOUT speaking to your partner (only non-verbal communication)