Floating and Sinking--
In this module, Students develop an understanding of matter by examining solids and liquids through hands-on activities. They explore floating and sinking as they predict and observe what effect liquids have on different materials. Using the design process, students rely on their skills and knowledge of matter to sketch, build, test, and reflect on a design they have created that will float on water and keep items within the design dry.
Structure and Function: Exploring Design--
Students engage in learning science and engineering practices that include using a design process to solve a problem. They explore how engineers use problem-solving as they design innovations and inventions. Students apply their understanding of the design process as they use available materials to design, build, and test structures including a model of a house and a painting tool.
Animated Storytelling--
In this module, students explore the sequential nature of computer programs through hands-on activities, both with and without a digital device. They explore the basic fundamentals of programming using ScratchJr, a block-based programming language to create their own projects. The Use-Modify-Create framework strengthens programming skills as students use a practice program, modify the program, and then create their own program according to the constraints provided.
Applying skills and knowledge learned from the activities and project in this module, students work together to design and program a digital animated story to share with members of their community.
Materials Science: Form and Function--
Students research the variety of ways animals disperse seeds and pollinate plants. They expand their understanding of properties of matter as they consider the form and function involved in seed dispersal and pollination. Students are introduced to the design problem when Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi are tasked with starting a wildflower garden on an expansive plot outside of their school. To solve the design problem, students apply their knowledge and skills to design, build, test, and reflect on a device that mimics a way in which animals disperse seeds or pollinate plants.
Stability and Motion: Science of Flight--
In this module, students learn about the forces involved in flight. They design, build, and test an experimental model glider to find out how air and other forces affect its flight. Students discover aeronautics alongside Angelina, Mylo, and Suzi and are inspired by the characters’ desire to use their skills to help those in need. Students apply the design process to the problem of delivering aid to an area where supplies must be airlifted in and dropped to the ground from an aircraft.
Energy Exploration--
Students engage in explorations of energy-related phenomena. They make observations, pose questions, and make connections as they investigate energy transfers. Throughout the module, students explore connections to careers and to the necessity of energy in real-life as they visit multiple business owners through the Main Street interactive experience. To deepen their understanding of energy, students design an investigation to test what happens when marbles collide on a track. Each business owner presents a problem that needs to be solved. Students select a problem and use the design process to apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.