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Spring STEAM Activity
Spring STEAM Activity
Harness the Wind!
This month's STEAM Activity is to choose one (or more!) of the following to build and create using materials you find around your house, classroom, or school. Then, see if you can make them work using WIND power only!
Boat
Boat
Some materials ideas (for boat and sail):
pool noodles
sponges
construction paper
straws
balloons
water bottles
egg cartons
fabric
Windmill
Windmill
Some materials ideas (for tower and blades):
toilet paper roll
paper
construction paper
craft sticks
tissue paper
water bottles
paper plates
straws
Kite
Kite
Some materials ideas:
paper
tissue paper
straws
yarn
string
plastic bags
tape
wooden sticks
What can you use to simulate (imitate or pretend) wind to see if your project can move?
An electric fan
A paper fan
Blow on it
OR use the actual wind (go outside on a windy day!)
But wait, there's more!
Now, experiment using MEASUREMENT!
BOAT
Does the length, width, or height of the boat make a difference in how well it can float or move with the wind? When you race a friend, does yours work better because of its measurements? Try some different dimensions (wider, longer) and see!
WINDMILL
Does the length of the blades make a difference in how fast the windmill can spin?
Does the width of the blades make a difference?
Is it a combination of both?
Does your tower height come into play as well? For example, if you tower is a certain height, do the blades need to be a certain length too? Do the number of blades make a difference?
KITE
Is there a formula to the width and height of the kite?
How small or large can you make your kite - does it make a difference on how well it will fly?
How about the tail of the kite? Does that change its flight?
What is a VARIABLE?
In science, a variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. Scientists try to figure out how the natural world works. So, they come up with experiments to search for relationships between things to explain why things happen and predict outcomes. Scientist design experiments to observe and measure changes if ONE thing causes something different to happen. That difference is a variable.
When you are adjusting your projects, make sure to adjust only ONE thing at a time, not many things, or you won't know what is the actual solution to the problem. Keep notes just like a scientist too!
Don't forget about the Engineering Design Process!
Don't forget about the Engineering Design Process!
Point out that it is a cycle that continuously goes around. It is important to let them IMPROVE their designs and TEST them again, then SHARE their results.
Engineers and scientists and many other people in multiple industries do this all the time!
Extensions:
Budgeting and money - have them stick to a budget, each material costs a certain amount.
Get a little more into weather and wind!
For younger students: Air and Wind video
Wind as Energy - have students explore using wind as an energy source. Start at https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/wind-energy-basics and learn about how we can harness wind to power up our cities and homes!
Wind Sports - Have students explore sports that use the wind such as surfing, parasailing, hot air ballooning, kiting, windsurfing, sailing, and more!
Build - then Share!
As we continue our OUSD Stem Challenges, please share! If you complete this activity with your students, take pictures and/or videos and share them with us! Email or share to rgreenwald@orangeusd.org . If you choose to share on your school IG, FB, or Twitter, make sure to tag OUSD!
NGSS Connections:
K-PS2-1 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions - Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
2-ESS2-1 Earth's Systems - Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land.
4-ESS2-1 Earth's Systems - Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
MS-ESS2-5 Earth's Systems - Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions.
Engineering Design K-2
ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
ETS 1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
ETS 1-3. Analyze data from tests of objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
Engineering Design 3-5
ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
ETS1-3: Students who demonstrate understanding can:
Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.
MOST IMPORTANTLY - HAVE FUN!!!!
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