Activity 1 Teacher Guide

Title: Protection from the Elements

Grade Level: 3rd grade

STEM Content Standards:

 Science
o 3-ESS3-1: Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces impact
of a weather-related hazard
o 3-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that
includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
o 3-ETS1-2: 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.
 Standards for Technological Literacy
o Standard 1: Design solutions by safely using tools, materials, and skills
o Standard 7: Illustrate that there are multiple approaches to a design

Big Ideas:
 The engineering design loop is helpful in solving engineering problems
 We can use technology to improve our solutions
 We can design solutions to reduce impacts of weather-related hazards

Essential Question: How can I build a house that will protect people from weather related
hazards?

Scenario: The people of Chewandswallow need your help! In their town, food falls from the
sky. This has never been a problem until the food started getting bigger and bigger! They need
your help to save their homes! Create a new type of house for the people of Chewandswallow
that can protect from damage so that they don’t have to move!

Challenge: Create a new type of house for the people of Chewandswallow that can protect from
weather damage so that they don’t have to move!

Tools, Materials, and Resources:

 “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” by Judi Barrett
 Tennis balls
 Popsicle sticks
 Straws
 Tape
  Chenille sticks
 Dixie cups
 Cardboard
 Cardstock
 Aluminum foil
 Cling wrap
 Glue
 Ruler
 Markers
 3D Printer
 Computer
 Tinkercad
 Engineering Design Loop Worksheet/Journal
 Water
 Bucket
 Paper towels

Content information:
 Review these topics before teaching a lesson:
o Engineering design loop
o Real-life weather-related hazards
 Storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, etc.
 Read the book “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”

Teacher Tips: Have an example available but do not show students unless they are stuck in their
ideas so that they do not get fixated on one idea.

Results:
 Completed engineering design loop worksheet
 A “house” that withstands and protects against a tennis ball being dropped on it from 6
feet and 10 feet, as well as having water being dumped on it.

Limitations:
 The students are only allowed a certain number of each material
 They only get 2 trials to test their structure
 Must be finished in 2 class periods
 Their house must stand at least 1 ft tall