Embedded Files
standards
standards
Math
Math
NC.2.MD.1 Measure the length of an object in standard units by selecting and using appropriate tools such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes.
ELA
ELA
RL 2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story by different authors or from different cultures.
Background / Hook
Background / Hook
New homes are often built to withstand the strong winds of a hurricane. Even when the winds blow very hard, these homes do not fall apart or blow down. Special engineers plan, design, and test these home designs before they are built for families.
In the story of the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf is able to blow down the pig's homes with his hurricane force breath.
"I will huff and puff and blow your house down" said the Big Bad Wolf.
Can you build a home for your little pig that can withstand the full force of this breath?
Challenge Question
Challenge Question
Can you design and build a house that can withstand the forces applied to it?
challenge details
challenge details
criteria
criteria
1. House must be able to be placed on the provided platform to test.
2. Use only the following materials to build: notecards, straws, popsicle sticks, tape. NO OTHER MATERIALS can be included in your design.
3. You MUST include the roof provided in your design. (Roof demonstration)
4. House must be at least 3 inches in height or taller.
5. Create a door that opens and closes where the pigs can enter and leave.
6. Include four windows (must be drawn on the house).
7. All team members must participate in construction process.
constraints
constraints
Extra materials can be purchased at the Teacher Store.
Pig must be able to fit and "live" in your designed house.
If you complete your design within the allotted time, you may test and re-design as needed. Once time is up, you must stop building and what you have completed will be the tested design.
materials
materials
Each Team will need
Each Team will need
3 x 5 Index Cards
Popsicle Sticks
Masking Tape: One yard
Rulers
Pair of Scissors
Roof template
Play Money: 1 Quarter, Nickel, Dime, Pennies
Instructor Materials
Instructor Materials
The Big Bad Wolf (Hair Dryer/Fan)
Teacher Store: Pigs, Popsicle Sticks, Straws
A platform to perform the test on.
tools / tech resources
tools / tech resources
3D Printed Pig
Three Little Pigs Read Along
literature connection
literature connection
“The Three Little Pigs”, "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs", and "The Three Little Javelinas”
writing / reflection
writing / reflection
Explain one change your team made to the house after the first wind test.
Describe your house and explain your choice of materials.
What challenges did your team encounter during this activity? How did you overcome them?
career connection
career connection
Notes / other
Notes / other
This can be modified to fit in with 4th and 5th grade:
Do not give students roof template
Students can measure: Perimeter
Students can measure: Area
Students can measure: Volume
Tie in to 4th Grade Lesson on natural causes that can change earth's surface
Tie in to 5th Grade Lesson on weather patterns and phenomena
Engineer Design Process (instructions)
Engineer Design Process (instructions)
Ask:
Ask:
What is the problem?
What are the constraints?
What kinds of materials are used to build houses?
What shapes do you see when you look at houses?
Imagine:
Imagine:
Brainstorm with your group at least 2 designs for your house that could withstand the force of a strong wind, using the shared materials. Discuss each one and decide which will be the design you will use to create your house.
Plan:
Plan:
Draw a blueprint of the design idea you chose. Be sure to label all of the important parts and materials! Then, begin gathering the materials you will need. You may use materials from the mystery bin. Additional "special" items may be purchased from the teacher store.
Create:
Create:
Follow your design plan and make your design come to life. Remember you can use the materials provided. The goal is to create a house that can withstand the huff and puff of the wolf. You must build and test your design within the 45 minute time constraint. Fill out measurement data sheet using snap cubes to measure total height of final house design.
Improve:
Improve:
How did your design do? What could you do to improve your design? Take the rest of the time to continue making improvements to design.
Submission / Product Evaluation (rubric)
Submission / Product Evaluation (rubric)
* Created by WCS Technology Department - Aug. 2019
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