Original PromptCreate a hands-on investigation for fifth grade students to create structures (houses, dams, etc.) that would help them investigate the 5th grade NGSS standard 5-ESS3-1. Evaluate potential solutions to problems that individual communities face in protecting the Earth’s resources and environment.
This teacher guide outlines a hands-on project for students to explore the impact of flooding on communities and design infrastructure solutions. Students will engage in the Engineering Design Process (EDP) by analyzing human influence on natural water cycles, brainstorming creative solutions, constructing prototypes, and testing their designs to develop flood mitigation structures such as dams or flood walls. They will work with materials like recycled cardboard, popsicle sticks, clay, and water to simulate real-world engineering challenges, evaluating the effectiveness of different materials and designs while emphasizing the importance of sustainability and iterative improvement in engineering. The guide also includes preparation tips, learning goals, discussion points, and reflection questions to facilitate the learning experience.