I took a break after April vacation from creating TPT materials and finally just finished my first unit this summer, Magnets: The Main Attraction. I teach magnets as a review with my fifth graders and who can't resist magnets? I designed this unit to be used as stations and plan on starting the beginning of the year with them. I think it will "hook" them into my science class. If you are looking for other units, please check out my store. I am currently working on Energy.
I just love using STEM in my science and math classes. We had just finished learning about simple machines and went into building a catapult. The students had their supply list and were given a limited amount of time to research on the computer. They had to sketch out their designs and were not allowed to look back at the computer the next day.
Here is the list of materials that they were allowed to use:
Large and small craft sticks 10 altogether
Rubber bands 6 or less
Plastic spoon 1
Binder clip 1
Plastic cup 1
Clothespin 1
glue gun and masking tape
Grouping Tip: No more than 3 in a group!!! It cuts down on problems. All kids have a chance to use materials and have a say.
Here is a video I like to show my students before we start.
Great resource and engineering website with sheets: Teach Engineering
Day One: Imagine and Design
Here are my students researching designs. I love listening to their ideas.
Day 2: Building
The next day we started building. My students really had to work together and collaborate to make their designs come to life! I had one group that wanted to give up but they persevered and got the catapult to work. Problem solving in action.
Building Tip: Have a glue gun on hand!!!
I found this design on the internet with zip ties!
Day 3: Test and Rebuild
The students have a chance to test their catapult and make adjustments as necessary. You might want to limit the amount of times they can test. Hint for kids: I do tell the kids that the plastic spoon will bend and lose its strength and some will break, they really need to support it. (I learned from last year)
Day 4-5: Test for Distance and for Accuracy (Target)
Each group had three trials for distance. We recorded on a table. Then ranked in order. Great place to reinforce some math. Record in ft/in or m/cm. Put on a graph.
Each group also had three trials for accuracy. I made a target with points. We added the totals of the three.
One of our STEAM challenges was designing and building a boat that will sail and also hold weight.
We talked about designs of boats and how they move. We brainstormed a class chart. We also listed materials that boats are made out of and to think how our materials could be used. We used a lab sheet that went through each step of the engineering and design process. I always have my students design on their own and then makes groups. I do no more than three in a group to manage problems and allowing everyone to participate. You need more materials but it works so much better. I have my students build and test. They need to write down problems, improvements, and solutions as they are working. I sometimes limit how many tests they are allowed. They will help manage issues. I did give new paper if it got wet but did not replace anything else.
Each group used the following items:
1 piece of aluminum foil
1 piece of tape
1 straw
1 craft stick
1 piece of paper
Building and Sailing our boats using an under the bed storage container and fan.
Testing with marbles to see if the boats can hold weight.
I love how my students collaborate and persevere during the lessons. It is the best way to get students to work as a team!
