Objective:

Students will design and build a physical tool to solve an everyday problem, focusing on teamwork and cooperation. Through collaboration, students will explore computational thinking by simplifying the design process into manageable steps and practicing problem-solving through iterative testing and refining.

Materials Needed:

• Construction materials (e.g., cardboard, tape, string, recycled materials)

• Large paper for sketching designs

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by introducing the concept of empathy. 

  • Explain that when engineers work together to solve problems, they need to consider other people’s challenges, brainstorm ideas, and work toward a common solution. 

  • Ask, “How can working together help us come up with better ideas?” Today, students will design and build a tool that solves a problem for someone else, and they will need to work together to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide students into small groups and ask each group to consider a challenge another person has faced (such as a younger sibling organizing toys or carrying heavy objects). 

  • Each group will brainstorm solutions, sketch a design, and then build a physical model using materials provided. 

  • Emphasize the importance of cooperation—making sure each group member has a role and that everyone’s ideas are considered. 

  • As students design and build, encourage them to practice active listening and respectful communication.

• Testing and Refining:

  • After building their tools, students will test them by simulating how the tool solves the problem. 

  • For example, they might use their model to organize toys or carry objects. 

  • After testing, students will discuss as a group what worked well and what could be improved. 

  • Guide the discussion toward understanding how working together and sharing ideas leads to stronger solutions.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their tool and explain how it works, what they learned about cooperation, and how the tool helps solve the problem. 

  • Lead a class discussion on how teamwork and cooperation help solve problems in the real world, relating it to social emotional learning and the importance of working well with others.

Equity and Access:

Provide visual aids and pre-cut materials for students who need additional support with constructing the tool. Pair students with varying strengths to ensure that everyone is included in the problem-solving process.

Real-World Application:

Highlight how engineers, scientists, and designers rely on teamwork and cooperation to develop effective tools and solve complex problems. Emphasize that working together and understanding different perspectives leads to better outcomes in both the classroom and in life.

CS Practice(s):

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students simplify the design process by creating a model to solve a problem.

• Collaborating Around Computing: Students work in groups, sharing ideas and building solutions together, practicing collaboration.

Standard(s):

• CA NGSS K–2-ETS1-2

• CA NGSS K–2-ETS1-3

Objective:

Students will use Scratch Jr. or another coding platform to design and create an interactive digital model of a new or improved tool that solves an everyday problem. Through the process of designing solutions, students will explore empathy and perspective-taking, as they consider the needs of others when developing their tool.

Materials Needed:

• Tablets or computers 

• Digital tools for drawing (optional, within Scratch Jr. or other apps)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin with a discussion about everyday problems that people may encounter. 

  • Ask, “What tools help us solve these problems?” 

  • Then introduce the idea of empathy, explaining that when we design solutions, we need to think about how other people feel and what their needs are. 

  • Today, students will design a tool using Scratch Jr. or another coding platform, focusing on solving a problem for someone else, like a friend or family member.

• Group Activity:

  • In pairs, students will choose a problem (such as carrying heavy objects or keeping toys organized) and brainstorm ideas for a tool that could help solve it. 

  • Before starting their designs, encourage students to think about the feelings and needs of the person they are helping. 

  • Using a coding platform, students will animate a digital model of their tool, showing how it functions. 

  • For example, one pair may design a small robot to help a sibling organize toys, or another may create a cart to help carry groceries.

• Creating and Coding:

  • As students work on their digital models, encourage them to consider how their tool would make life easier for someone else. 

  • Ask them to think about how the person would feel after using the tool and what challenges their tool solves. 

  • They will then code the digital tool, demonstrating how it works step-by-step.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • After completing their digital models, students will present their animations to the class. 

  • They will explain the problem they chose, how their tool solves it, and why they think it would help someone. 

  • Lead a discussion on the importance of thinking about other people's feelings when solving problems, linking this to empathy and social emotional learning.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-built coding templates for students who need additional support with coding. Offer guided prompts to help students brainstorm solutions for specific problems.

Real-World Application:

Connect the lesson to real-world engineering and design, where empathy plays a key role in developing tools that meet the needs of different people. Emphasize that designing solutions isn’t just about fixing problems but about understanding and caring for the people who use the tools.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use coding platforms to design a digital model of a tool and code its function.

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students create a simplified model of their tool and explain how it helps solve problems by addressing specific needs.

Standard(s):

• CA NGSS K–2-ETS1-1

• CA NGSS K–2-ETS1-2

• CA CS K-2.AP.12