a copy of the book, The Magic School Bus at the Water Works by Joanna Cole.lab book/journal/notebook (or paper), one per student, to keep track of research, design ideas, sketches, materials lists, notes, etc., throughout the activity.Water Filtration Planning Worksheet 2 (may not be needed).measuring cup or graduated beaker, to measure dry materials (amounts to be determined by group).300 ml of "dirty water," made by the instructor by adding to water small bits of plant material, soil and paper see the Procedure section for instructions.2-liter clear plastic beverage bottle, cut in half by instructor.International Technology and Engineering Educators Association - Technology
Tests are often designed to identify failure points or difficulties, which suggest the elements of the design that need to be improved.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! Different solutions need to be tested in order to determine which of them best solves the problem, given the criteria and the constraints. Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, using fair tests in which variables are controlled and the number of trials considered. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. Testing a solution involves investigating how well it performs under a range of likely conditions.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! At whatever stage, communicating with peers about proposed solutions is an important part of the design process, and shared ideas can lead to improved designs.Įngineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefits, to decrease known risks, and to meet societal demands. Research on a problem should be carried out before beginning to design a solution. Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the design problem. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. People's needs and wants change over time, as do their demands for new and improved technologies. Different proposals for solutions can be compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria for success or how well each takes the constraints into account. The success of a designed solution is determined by considering the desired features of a solution (criteria). Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). This activity focuses on the following Three Dimensional Learning aspects of NGSS:ĭefine a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system and includes several criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.Īlignment agreement: Thanks for your feedback! This engineering curriculum aligns to Next Generation Science Standards ( NGSS).ĭefine a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.Ĭlick to view other curriculum aligned to this Performance Expectation Two design planning worksheets, a poster layout suggestion sheet and a grading rubric are provided. Working in groups, students experience the entire engineering design process, including a read-aloud book about the water cycle a visiting water engineer presentation their own online research about filter methods and designs group brainstorming of designs (using ordinary household materials) filter construction and testing redesign and retesting lab book documentation of their notes, research, plans and results and a summary poster presentation at a mini-engineering fair. Students act as engineers contracted by NASA to create water filtration devices that clean visible particulates from teacher-prepared "dirty water." They learn about the worldwide need for potable water and gain appreciation for why water quality is an important issue for people on Earth as well as on the International Space Station.