Third Grade

Our Third Grade Engineers will be working on the conceptual understanding of Stability and Motion throughout the year. We will conclude with computer science.

Unit 1

Stability and Motion: Science of Flight – Students discover aeronautics alongside Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi. They are inspired by the characters’ desire to use their skills to help those in need. Students learn about the forces involved in flight. They design, build, and test an experimental model glider to find out how to adjust the glider to change its flight. Students apply the design process to the problem of delivering aid to an area where supplies must be airlifted.

Unit 2

Stability and Motion: Forces and Interactions – Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi go on a field trip to the zoo and are faced with a challenge of how to rescue a trapped tiger. Their adventure motivates students to explore simple and compound machines. In addition, students investigate forces, including magnetism. They apply their knowledge of forces and simple and compound machines to design a model that can be used to rescue a zoo animal while keeping it safe in the process.

Unit 3

Grids and Games – Students investigate numerical relationships while learning about the sequence and structure required in computer programs. Starting with computer-free activities and moving to digital challenges, students apply addition and subtraction strategies to make characters move on a grid. Angelina presents the design problem when she expresses her desire to design a game she can play on her device. Using skills and knowledge gained from these activities, students work together in groups to design and develop a game in which a player interacts with objects on a screen.