Original Promptusing steels standards science for 4th grade make lessons slides, do now, worksheet, exit slip, etc. 6
(3 Days)
Man vs. Beast
3.5.3-5.G 3.5.3-5.X
Why do our "critter-proof" inventions often fail?
NAEP D.8.1
Science is the systematic investigation of the natural world. Technology is any modification of the environment to satisfy people’s needs and wants. Engineering is the process of creating or modifying technologies and is constrained by physical laws and cultural norms and economic resources.
This learning resource explores the intersection of urban wildlife and human waste management. It examines how animals, particularly raccoons, have adapted to scavenging human refuse due to energy efficiency. The document introduces a challenge: to design a trash bin that accommodates both human needs and wildlife safety. It discusses essential engineering principles such as constraints, material durability, and user accessibility. Specific activities involve analyzing critter-proof designs and understanding design trade-offs between security and accessibility for humans. The resource culminates with reflections on ethical dilemmas in engineering, prompting students to consider the broader impact of their designs on wildlife and the environment. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of creating solutions that balance animal safety, environmental health, and practicality for human use.