Engineering Design
This lesson is designed to 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.
Grade Level: 4 - 6th
Subject: Science
Length of Time: About 45 Minutes
Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to: build a structure using pipe cleaners; planning, executing, and
evaluating their teamwork using the graphic organizer
Materials Needed
pipecleaners
graphic organizer (can be tailored by each teacher)
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
Introduce lesson with pictures of tall structures, remind students of prior knowledge,
and try to name tall structures you post on the computer.
CFU: Name one of the tallest buildings in the world? What are some of the tallest
buildings that you’ve been to? Seen in your own neighborhood?
Body of Lesson
Direct Teaching
Think Aloud: teacher demonstrates lesson for students talking out her thought
process; will show students how to plan, draw, and execute a structure.
CFU: Popsicle sticks: Someone repeat the steps I took to make this structure.
Guided Practice 1
Ask students to draw a design on their white-board of what a house made of cards
would look like.
CFU: Show structures/drawings to teacher, pair-share design with their neighborwhy/how did you construct your house of cards?
Guided Practice 2
Small cup structure; 2 volunteers to come up and help build a tower of cups.
Students will watch and compare structures….may use help from the “audience” to
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guide their structure.
Independent Practice
In groups, students will assemble their own structure under the provided guidelines:
tallest, free-standing structure; may only use pipe cleaners, you have 10 minutes to
plan, use graphic organizer, and 10 minutes to construct your tallest building.
Closing
Have each group select the spokesperson for the group to explain the process the group
went through when done.
Assessment & Evaluation
Through guided questions, close monitoring and informal observation; the teacher will be
able to assess student’s ability and understanding of the subject being introduced. Through
individually assessing during independent practice and reviewing during guided practice
the teacher will be able to evaluate students.
Modification & Differentiation
Allow students time to brainstorm ideas. Give opportunities for students to work in small
groups or on a one-on-one basis with the teacher.
Related Lesson Plans
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Mystery Boxes
Using different sized “mystery boxes” the students will attempt to guess the item inside
each box.
Food Web
Students will create a food web with a partner.
The United States of Matter
Observe various substances to recognize different characteristics of solids, liquids, and
gases. The students will work in pairs.
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