⁣⁣Lesson Plan: Discover the Secrets of Engineering: Learn How to Make an Elastic Band Paddle Boat and Explore the Principles of Motion and Design!

⁣⁣Lesson Plan: Discover the Secrets of Engineering: Learn How to Make an Elastic Band Paddle Boat and Explore the Principles of Motion and Design!

Grade Level: 3-5

Subject: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Objective: Students will design and construct an elastic band paddle boat to explore the principles of motion, engineering, and problem-solving.

Materials Needed:
- Craft sticks
- Rubber bands
- Plastic straw
- Hot glue gun (teacher's responsibility)
- Scissors
- Small container or bottle cap (for the boat's body)
- Water basin or container for testing

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of motion and engineering, emphasizing the importance of design and problem-solving in creating functional objects.
- Engage students by asking them to share any experiences they have had with boats or other floating objects.

2. Explanation and Demonstration (15 minutes):
- Explain the concept of an elastic band paddle boat, showing students visual examples or diagrams.
- Demonstrate how to construct a basic elastic band paddle boat using the materials provided.

3. Design and Construction (30 minutes):
- Instruct students to design and construct their own elastic band paddle boats, following the basic instructions provided.
- Encourage students to experiment with different designs and materials to improve the functionality and performance of their boats.

4. Testing and Reflection (20 minutes):
- Set up a water basin or container for students to test their paddle boats.
- Instruct students to test their boats, observing and noting their performance in terms of speed, distance traveled, and stability.
- Encourage students to reflect on the design and construction process, discussing any challenges they encountered and potential improvements.

5. Group Discussion and Analysis (15 minutes):
- Facilitate a group discussion where students can share their observations and insights about their paddle boat experiments.
- Discuss the principles of motion, engineering, and design that they discovered during the activity.

6. Extension Activity (10 minutes):
- Challenge students to modify their paddle boats or create a new design that can improve speed, stability, or other performance metrics.
- Encourage students to test their modifications and discuss the results with their peers.

7. Conclusion (5 minutes):
- Summarize the key takeaways from the lesson, emphasizing the importance of creativity, problem-solving, and experimentation in engineering and design.

Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3-5.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
- NGSS.3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

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