This is a highly adaptable outline for how design thinking could be …
This is a highly adaptable outline for how design thinking could be introduced to your learners over a multi-day project. This plan works best if students are divided up into groups of 3-4 for all work except the introduction to each concept at the beginning of class. Learners should stay in the same group for the whole class.
Includes pre-work links, general instructions to guide planning for each day, design thinking student handouts, and multi-grade NGSS standards linked to design thinking.
Student teams design and create LEGO® structures to house and protect temperature …
Student teams design and create LEGO® structures to house and protect temperature sensors. They leave their structures in undisturbed locations for a week, and regularly check and chart the temperatures. This activity engages students in the design and analysis aspects of engineering.
Students design and create their own nano-polymer smartphone or tablet case. Students …
Students design and create their own nano-polymer smartphone or tablet case. Students choose their design, mix their nano-polymer (based in silicone) with starch and add coloring of their choice. While thinking critically about their design, students embed strings in the nano-polymer to optimize both case strength and flexibility. Students may apply strings in a variety of ways in order to maximize their individual design’s potential. Determining the best mixing ratio is also key for success in this challenge.
Engineer and cartoonist Rube Goldberg is famous for his crazy machines that …
Engineer and cartoonist Rube Goldberg is famous for his crazy machines that accomplish everyday tasks in overly complicated ways. Students use their new understanding of types of simple machines to design and build their own Rube Goldberg machines that perform simple tasks in no less than 10 steps.
Students are introduced to the biomechanical characteristics of helmets, and are challenged …
Students are introduced to the biomechanical characteristics of helmets, and are challenged to incorporate them into designs for helmets used for various applications. By doing this, they come to understand the role of enginering associated with saftey products. The use of bicycle helmets helps to protect the brain and neck in the event of a crash. To do this effectively, helmets must have some sort of crushable material to absorb the collision forces and a strap system to make sure the protection stays in place. The exact design of a helmet depends on the needs and specifications of the user.
In this lesson, students will embark on a journey of discovery by …
In this lesson, students will embark on a journey of discovery by researching a specific biome of their choice, such as rainforests, deserts, or coral reefs. They will delve into the unique characteristics, flora, and fauna that define their chosen biome, gaining insights into its environmental challenges and adaptations. Using Tinkercad, students will then design and create a miniature 3D model representing their biome, incorporating elements like plants, animals, and geographical features. Through this hands-on activity, students will not only enhance their digital design skills but also deepen their understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the delicate balance within different biomes. This lesson fosters creativity, scientific inquiry, and a holistic appreciation of the natural world in STEM education.
Students are given a biomedical engineering challenge, which they solve while following …
Students are given a biomedical engineering challenge, which they solve while following the steps of the engineering design process. In a design lab environment, student groups design, create and test prototype devices that help people using crutches carry things, such as books and school supplies. The assistive devices must meet a list of constraints, including a device weight limit and minimum load capacity. Students use various hand and power tools to fabricate the devices. They test the practicality of their designs by loading them with objects and then using the modified crutches in the school hallways and classrooms.
The purpose of this activity is for the students to draw a …
The purpose of this activity is for the students to draw a design for their own flying machine. They will apply their knowledge of aircraft design and the forces acting on them. The students will start with a brainstorming activity where they come up with creative uses for every day objects. They will then use their creativity and knowledge of airplanes to design their own flying machine.
Students create a concept design of their very own net-zero energy classroom …
Students create a concept design of their very own net-zero energy classroom by pasting renewable energy and energy-efficiency items into and around a pretend classroom on a sheet of paper. They learn how these items (such as solar panels, efficient lights, computers, energy meters, etc.) interact to create a learning environment that produces as much energy as it uses.
After a discussion about what a parachute is and how it works, …
After a discussion about what a parachute is and how it works, students create parachutes using different materials that they think will work best. They test their designs, and then contribute to a class discussion (and possible journal writing) to report which paper materials worked best.
Students brainstorm ideas for board game formats. Then student teams design, create …
Students brainstorm ideas for board game formats. Then student teams design, create and test games in which players must think of alternative uses (recycling) for used products.
Students are tasked with designing a room of their choice in TinkerCAD. …
Students are tasked with designing a room of their choice in TinkerCAD. After learning the basic tools and navigation from modeling objects, they can begin to model collections of objects enabling them to visualize and personalize their dream spaces. Experimenting with layout, furniture, and décor helps develop their spatial awareness and design skills. The lesson concludes with an (optional) presentation, where participants present their room designs and reflect on their creative decisions and practical layouts.
Students design and build a model city powered by the sun! They …
Students design and build a model city powered by the sun! They learn about the benefits of solar power, and how architectural and building engineers integrate photovoltaic panels into the design of buildings.
Students are presented with the following challenge: their new school is under …
Students are presented with the following challenge: their new school is under construction and the architect accidentally put the music room next to the library. Students need to design a room that will absorb the most amount of sound so that the music does not disturb the library. Students use a box as a proxy for the room need to create a design that will decrease the sound that is coming from the outside of the box. To evaluate this challenge, students use a speaker within the box and a decibel meter outside the box to measure the effectiveness of their design.
In this TinkerCAD lesson, students design their favorite toy using 3D modeling …
In this TinkerCAD lesson, students design their favorite toy using 3D modeling software. They learn basic TinkerCAD tools and techniques to create and customize their toy designs. Throughout the lesson, students apply principles of geometry and spatial reasoning while fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. The session concludes with students presenting their designs and discussing the features and functionality of their creations.
Student teams use their knowledge about ancient Egypt to design playgrounds for …
Student teams use their knowledge about ancient Egypt to design playgrounds for Egyptian children. This involves brainstorming ideas on paper, building models with LEGO® bricks or other materials, and explaining their ideas to the class in five-minute presentations.
This is an intermediate algorithms course with an emphasis on teaching techniques …
This is an intermediate algorithms course with an emphasis on teaching techniques for the design and analysis of efficient algorithms, emphasizing methods of application. Topics include divide-and-conquer, randomization, dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, incremental improvement, complexity, and cryptography.
Techniques for the design and analysis of efficient algorithms, emphasizing methods useful …
Techniques for the design and analysis of efficient algorithms, emphasizing methods useful in practice. Topics include sorting; search trees, heaps, and hashing; divide-and-conquer; dynamic programming; greedy algorithms; amortized analysis; graph algorithms; and shortest paths. Advanced topics may include network flow, computational geometry, number-theoretic algorithms, polynomial and matrix calculations, caching, and parallel computing.
In this two-part activity, students design and build Rube Goldberg machines. This …
In this two-part activity, students design and build Rube Goldberg machines. This open-ended challenge employs the engineering design process and may have a pre-determined purpose, such as rolling a marble into a cup from a distance, or let students decide the purposes.
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