Over the past few weeks we have transformed into Green Engineers as we followed the Scientific Method and Engineering Design Process to create Solar Ovens. The first step was to carry out an inquiry task around how color affects temperature. Students designed a test to determine if color would determine the maximum temperature of an object. Their data confirmed what many of them predicted from their own background knowledge-the black object had the highest temperature because it absorbs the most heat, while the white object has the lowest temperature chance because it reflects heat. This knowledge would prove to come in handy during our next step.
After learning about the need for Solar Oven in countries like Sierra Leone, our own WCS Green Engineers followed the steps of the Engineering Design Process (EDP) to create a solar oven that was a good insulator but also had a low environmental impact.
Like real engineers we followed the steps of the E.D.P.
1. ASK- First, we had to figure out what materials were good insulators. After brainstorming what we knew already we tested five different materials (newspaper, foam, foil, plastic, and felt) in two different forms (flat and shredded). To do this we filled a cup with the material and submerged it into ice cold water and used a digital thermometer (and some new math using decimals) to determine which materials were the best insulators. Our top three were newspaper, felt, and foam. Then we needed to discuss which of these materials had the lowest impact on the environment. After a lot of debate, the engineers decided that newspaper and plastic had low impact scores because they could reduce the amount, and reuse or recycle the materials.
2. IMAGINE- Now the teams of engineers used their newfound understandings to brainstorm the different ways that they could design their solar ovens to meet our criteria.
3. PLAN- Once all of the ideas in the group had been heard the teams planned out what their prototype would look like and what materials they would need.
4. CREATE- The teams went to work designing and creating their oven hoping that it would hold heat longer than the control and have a low impact on the environment. Then we took the small pocket of sunshine that we were given last week and tested.
5. IMPROVE- The teams analyzed their data and wrote strong conclusions about their findings. This brought up many ideas around how the designs could be improved to meet the criteria even more successfully.
Check out this slideshow to see this engaging, integrated unit of study in action. We are so proud of the collaboration, creativity and determination of these Environmental Engineers.
 |
 |
| Create your own free collage
In math we have also begun a new unit of study around tackling multi-digit multiplication and dealing with remainders in division. Check out this link to see these concepts.
Next week we will begin a fourth grade book club. Our first book if Because of Winn-Dixie By: Kate DiCamillo. We will begin by establishing norms for our club and practicing what it looks and sounds like to be a part of a rich discussion about a book. Then the readers will get their very own copy of the text that they can read closely and mark up with their thoughts. Each week they will have reading homework from the text. This will count as their twenty minutes of reading for the evening it is assigned. Feel free to read and discuss the book along with us.
|
Wow! What a great experience for young scientists!
ReplyDelete