SLED Implementation Plan
Sticky Structures
Your Name(s):
Casey Davenport
Grade Level:
6
School:
Lafayette Sunnyside Middle School
Total time (hours or class sessions):
2 - 3 Class Sessions (45 minutes)
Unit BIG IDEAS:
Scientific Process/Design Process
Key vocabulary:
Adhesive, Teamwork, Structure, Length, Mass,
Scientific Method, Technology, Durability,
Constraints, Functionality, Appearance, Matrix,
Criteria, Limitations, Client
Unit prior to and following this unit:
Prior: Measurement (length, volume, mass & Metric
Conversions)
Following: Scientific Method/Process (Are Name
Brand Kleenex Stronger than Generic?)
Estimated starting date in the school year:
First nine weeks end of September
Unit Objectives:
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
- Learn how component selection impact engineering results.
- Learn how adhesives are developed for different applications.
- Learn how engineering teams address problem solving.
- Learn about teamwork and working in groups.
Core Indiana Academic Standard to be addressed:
Process Standards:
The Nature of Science
- Make predictions and develop testable questions based on research and prior knowledge
- Plan and carry out an investigation
- Keep accurate records in a notebook during investigation
The Design Process
- Brainstorm potential solutions
- Throughout the entire design process, document the design with drawings (including labels) in a
portfolio or notebook so that the process can be replicated
- Test and evaluate how well the solution meets the goal
Materials and Resources (available in school and/or will need to get):
Measurement Activities (Gummy Bear & Rainbow Lab) – Meter Stick, Triple Beam Balance, Graduated
Cylinder, gummy bears, Dixie cups, test tubes, food coloring, four gallon jugs (milk), test tube stand
Sticky Structure – Various glue options (school or washable glue, wood glue, rubber cement, glue sticks),
popsicle sticks, paper clips, lined paper, standard weight (identical cans of soup or soda (about 10 oz or 300
SLED Summer Institute 2011
grams)
Scientific Method (Are Name Brand Stronger than Generic) – Name Brand and Generic tissues, wide
mouth cup, marbles, eye droppers, cups
Overview of Unit Activities:
Nine Week Unit that Covers Scientific Method and Technology
Introduction to the Unit
- Vocabulary terms and concepts
 Foldable
- KWL Chart
Questions I will ask to Introduce the Unit:
- Why is measurement important? When do you use measurement? What jobs?
- When is the last time you worked as a team? How did it go? What could you have done to make it
better?
Hands-On Activities:
Gummy Bear Lab
- Students will work with a partner to determine a gummy bears initial mass, volume and length. Students
will hypothesize what will happen when they put their gummy bear in water over night. Students will
then take final measurements (day 2) and make their final conclusions.
Rainbow Lab
- Students will work in small groups and practice using a graduated cylinder to make precise
measurements. Students will end up with “rainbow” in their test tube if their measurements are precise.
Sticky Structures
- Students will work in small groups and working as a team will design and construct a structure that is
strong enough to suspend a can of soda or soup at least two inches off the ground. Students will have to
determine which brand or type of glue will work the best and be given a very minimal amount of
materials to carry out their plan.
Is Name Brand Kleenex Stronger than Generic?
- Students will work in small groups to determine which brand of tissue is strongest. Students will make
predictions and test their predictions. Finally, they will make their final conclusions, analyze the data
and create a graph to display their results.
Day 1 – Introduction to the unit (foldable, design notebooks, vocabulary terms and concepts)
Day 2 – 3 – Rainbow Lab
Day 4 – 5 – Gummy Bear Lab
Day 6 – 8 – Sticky Structures
Day 9 – 10 – Is Name Brand Kleenex Stronger than Generic
Cross-curricular connections:
Math connections with cost analysis and measurements.
6.5.1 Select and apply appropriate standard units and tools to measure length, area, volume, weight, time,
SLED Summer Institute 2011
temperature, and the size of angles.
Assessment:
How will you assess student learning?
Formative Assessment:
- Discussion
- Observation
- Test Tube (Did students end up with a “rainbow” in their test tube?) Teacher will use checks or check
minus on a classroom roster
- Foldable
Summative Assessment:
- Collect and review design notebooks.
- Collect lab forms (Gummy Bear Lab and Is Name Brand Stronger than Generic?)
- SLED written research assessment at the completion of the unit.
SLED Summer Institute 2011