Technological Design Lessons Integrated With Ohio Science Standards
5th Grade
Downhill Racer
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
p. 2
Ecosystem Game .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
p. 4
Ecosystem Model
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
p. 5
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
p. 6
Sound Insulation .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
p. 8
Telescope .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
p. 9
Solar Cooker
.
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Title of lesson: Downhill Racers
Grade level: 5th Grade
Science content statement addressed:
Physical Science
Light, Sound and Motion
The amount of change in movement of an object is based on the weight of
the object and the amount of force exerted
Overview:
Students design vehicles from found materials (plastic litter bottle or small
juice can car bodies, bottle lids for wheels, etc.) and test the effect of
different weights on the cars as they roll down a ramp.
Duration: Three 60 minute sessions
Materials:
 Found materials to make the cars (plastic bottles, juice cans, plastic tops
or lids, wooden dowel rods)
 Modeling clay sticks to act as weights for the cars
 Tennis ball
 Cord
 Ramp
 Protractor
 Yardstick or tape measure
 Stopwatch
Procedure:
 Students design vehicles from found materials (plastic litter bottle or
small juice can car bodies, bottle lids for wheels, etc.) and test the effect
of different weights on the cars as they roll down a ramp.
 Force could be measured by hanging a tennis ball on a cord at the end of
the ramp and measuring the angle the ball swings away from the ramp
when the car hits it (the larger the swing angle, the more force the car
had).
 The ball could also be removed to allow the car to continue off the ramp
onto a smooth floor (tile or linoleum). The distance and time the car
traveled beyond the ramp could be used to calculate the car's speed
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
2
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Assessment:
Students can use their measurements and data to observe how changes in a
car’s weight affects the amount of force it generates while moving.
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
3
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Title of lesson: Ecosystem Game
Grade level: 5th Grade
Science content statement addressed:
Life Sciences
Interactions With Ecosystems
Organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem
Overview:
Students create a board game that simulates different organisms that live in a
specific ecosystem. Different environmental factors will impact the
organisms' populations as the game is played out.
Duration: Three 60 minute sessions
Materials:
 Posterboard
 Game pieces (purchased or homemade)
 Index cards
 Dice or spinner (purchased or homemade)
 Pictures of animals and plants from the same ecosystem
 Coloring materials
 Scissors
 Glue
Procedure:
Students research the organisms that live in a certain ecosystem and learn
how they interact with each other and the roles each plays in the ecosystem
Students work in teams to create a board game that simulates different
organisms that live in a specific ecosystem.
Different environmental factors or actions of the organisms will impact the
organisms' populations as the game is played out.
Assessment:
Students describe the different factors that affect the organisms that live in a
certain ecosystem and their impacts on those organisms.
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
4
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Title of lesson: Ecosystem Model
Grade level: 5th Grade
Science content statement addressed:
Life Sciences
Interactions Within Ecosystems
All of the processes that take place within organisms require energy
Overview:
Students research how the organisms living in a particular ecosystem
interact with each other and meet their energy needs. A 3D exhibit of the
ecosystem could be set up like a zoo or natural history display
Duration: Four 60 minute sessions
Materials:
 Construction materials (cardstock, carboard, clay, coloring materials,
paper fasteners, various found materials)
 Scissors
 Glue
 Optional – electric circuits with light bulbs, for example, Christmas lights
Procedure:
 Students research how the organisms living in a particular ecosystem
interact with each other and meet their energy needs.
 A 3D exhibit of the ecosystem could be set up like a zoo or natural
history display, i
 The exhibit could inform visitors through models and signage about the
energy flow through the system.
 Optional: electric circuits could be switched on to illuminate different
organisms and the information about them in the exhibit.
Assessment:
Student model and signage should reflect how different processes in their
eosystem requires energy.
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
5
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Title of lesson: Solar Cooker
Grade level: 5th Grade
Science content statement addressed:
Earth and Space Science
Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System
The sun is one of many stars that exist in the universe
Overview:
Students research different models of solar cookers and build one that allows
them to make adjustments to maximize the intensity of the sun's rays
throughout the day.
Duration: Three 60 minute sessions
Materials:
 Aluminum foil
 Cardboard
 Glue
 Scissors
 Ruler
 Pencil
 Cooking pot
 Plastic bag or plastic wrap
 Other found materials based on the design used.
Procedure:
 Students research types of solar cookers (see resources for sites)
 They work in teams to design or modify a solar cooker that can be
adjusted throughout the day to maximize the effect of the sun’s rays as
the earth revolves and changes the location of the sun in the sky.
 They build, test and modify their design, measuring the temperature of
heated water as a basis of testing their design.
Assessment:
Students learn that the sun provides almost all the energy for the Earth and
other planets in the solar system
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
6
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Resources:
YouTube video of solar cookers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghHVfKyAIGY
Wiki for solar cooking
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Introduction_to_solar_cooking
Principles of Solar box design
http://solarcooking.wikia.com/wiki/Principles_of_Solar_Box_Cooker_Desig
n
Solar cooker models
http://solarcooking.org/plans/default.htm
Here’s one designed by 5th graders at Dublin, Ohio!
http://solarcooking.org/plans/default.htm (scroll down screen and click on
Dublin, OH class cooker)
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
7
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Title of lesson: Sound Insulation
Grade level: 5th Grade
Science content statement addressed:
Physical Science
Light, Sound and Motion
Light and sound are forms of energy that behave in predictable ways
Overview:
Students research soundproofing materials and find a way to best silence an
alarm clock in a box
Duration: Three 60 minute sessions
Materials:
 Soundproofing materials suggested and brought in by students (cotton
balls, fabrics, newspapers, packing peanuts, etc.)
 Other found materials that students want to include in their design,
approved by teacher
 Small box to hold alarm clock
 Alarm clock
 Decibel reader to measure the amount of sound (optional – about $30 at
an electronics store or general department superstore)
Procedure:
Students research soundproofing materials
They work in teams to find a way to best silence an alarm clock in a box.
Assessment:
Students learn that sound waves are forms of energy that can be controlled in
predictable ways.
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
8
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
Title of lesson: Telescope
Grade level: 5th Grade
Science content statement addressed:
Earth and Space Sciences
Cycles and Patterns in the Solar System
The solar system includes the sun and all celestial bodies that orbit the sun.
Each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics
Physical Science
Light, Sound and Motion
Light and sound are forms of energy that behave in predictable ways
Overview:
Students build a telescope from paper towel rolls and simple lenses that can
be adjusted for different distances. The students then use their telescopes to
observe different objects in the solar system and record their findings
Duration: Three 60 minute sessions
Materials:
 A variety of lenses from local eye doctor
 Paper roll tubes
 Scissors
 Tape
Procedure:
 Obtain a variety of old lenses from a local eye doctor
 Allow students time to explore looking through single lenses and pairs of
lenses. Students should observe different capabilities and powers of the
single lenses.
 Next have students investigate pairs of lenses and how they interact with
each other. Have them make notes and measurements as to which
combinations produce the sharpest images of objects the farthest away.
 Students build a telescope from paper towel rolls and simple lenses that
can be adjusted for different distances, with either different slots in the
tubes, or sliding tubes.
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
9
5th Grade Technological Design Lessons
 The students then use their telescopes to observe different objects in the
solar system and record their findings.
Assessment:
Students use their telescopes to observe and record objects they see in the
solar system.
Bob Claymier
www.technologyiselementary.com
10