Design Resources
The design resources listed here consist of lesson plans in which an engineering design-based activity serves to anchor the teaching and learning of science (and in some cases math) concepts for students in grades 3-6. All lessons were designed by teams of Purdue University STEM faculty working in collaboration with participating project teachers. Each lesson addresses appropriate Indiana and national standards and includes the background information and materials teachers may need to implement the lesson in the classroom. While originally designed to address learning at specific grade levels, materials may be adapted for other grades. All materials are free to download and use. To learn more about using these materials, read Getting Started with SLED and view an example of a design activity in the classroom in the video Dog Gone It in the Classroom.
Click the title of the design activity to download the unit and any ancillary resources.
| Title | Grade(s) | Key Concepts | Synopsis of Design Task |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3
|
parts of a plant and their functions
|
Design a dyed flower using principles of capillary action and plant root structure. | |
|
3
|
simple and compound machines
|
Design and construct a compound machine that can help a large breed dog get into and out of the back of a car. | |
|
3
|
light, absorption,
heat, energy |
Design a drink pouch that will fit into a car cup holder and keep a drink cool in the hot sun. | |
|
3
|
earth materials, dams
|
Use earth materials to create a model of an earthen dam that will hold a volume of water for a period of time. | |
|
3-6
|
forces, compression, engineering design
|
Use note cards and tape to create a model lifeguard chair to hold the weight of the lifeguard at a specified height. | |
|
3
|
sound, sound waves, pitch, loudness
|
Design and create a simple string instrument capable of producing three different sounds (pitches). | |
|
3
|
simple and compound machines
|
Design and construct a compound machine that can safely trap and contain a wolf. | |
|
3
|
sound, sound waves,
absorption, loudness |
Design and construct a model “soundproof” (or sound absorbing) wall so that loud sounds in one room will not be heard in the room next to it. | |
|
4
|
mass, length, temperature, measurement
|
Apply measurement skills to solve the mystery of who pilfered (stole) a pin from a local museum. | |
|
4
|
electricity, current, electric circuit
|
Design a door alarm that sounds when someone open the door to the room. | |
|
4
|
adaptations of organisms to the environment
|
Design a green roof that can support soil on a 45 degree incline. | |
|
4
|
electricity, resistors, conductors, electric circuit
|
Design and construct salt dough-based electrical circuits to control the brightness of a glowing light bulb (a bright light, a dim light, and a light that is in-between). | |
|
4
|
forces, motion, friction, transportation systems
|
On a model roadway, design a way to slow and then stop vehicles from going into a river if they fail to make a sharp turn. | |
|
4
|
forces, motion, drag
|
Design attachments to a boat to make it move more slowly through the water. | |
|
4
|
erosion
|
Design a model of a canal to transport water from one location to another while minimizing erosion. | |
|
3-4
|
forces, motion, drag
|
Build a whirligig that falls as slowly as possible. | |
|
5-6
|
mass, weight, volume, engineering design
|
Design an attractive candy bag that is able to hold maximum weight. | |
|
5-6
|
ecosystem, decomposer, biotic and abiotic factors
|
Design and build a compost column. | |
|
5
|
mass, weight, volume, chemical reaction
|
Design a product that makes use of a chemical reaction to produce carbon dioxide to inflate a balloon. | |
|
5
|
mass, weight, volume. recycling
|
Make a device for making recycled paper of specified size as thin as possible. | |
|
5
|
mass, volume, density, musculoskeletal system
|
Design a model of a prosthetic leg for a young child that can kick a soccer ball. | |
|
5
|
earth, sun, shadows, rotation, revolution, seasons
|
Design a shade for a picnic table that will be effective in both summer and winter. | |
|
5
|
compression, tension, torsion, engineering design
|
Create a structure to hold a shot put 2 inches above a surface. | |
|
5
|
weight, volume, filter
|
Design a device to remove as much sediment (dirt) as possible from dirty water in the shortest amount of time. | |
|
6
|
energy, energy transformation, chemical reaction
|
Design a hot and cold pack for little children to apply heat or cold to a child’s injury in the most comfortable and efficient way possible. | |
|
6
|
surface area, volume, ratio
|
Design a shape for a plastic water bottle that maximizes the amount of liquid that can be stored but uses the least amount of plastic. | |
|
6
|
habitat, biotic and abiotic factors, area
|
Create a “plan” for the new zoo environment for reindeer that not only supports life but also fits into a designated space at the zoo. | |
|
6
|
potential and kinetic energy
|
Design and construct a roller coaster model that results in the greatest total loop diameter at the lowest cost. | |
|
6
|
kinetic and potential energy, vibration, sensor
|
Design and construct a device to be placed on a tabletop that can detect vibrations when the table is bumped. | |
|
6
|
inclination of the earth, direct and indirect light rays, seasons
|
Develop a solar panel system that can be easily moved to track the sun in the sky during different times of the day and during different seasons. | |
|
6
|
potential and kinetic energy, energy transformation
|
Design and build a small model of a car from a water bottle that can be propelled by a number of different energy sources. | |
|
6
|
energy, UV rays, engineering design
|
Plan, construct, and test a simple sensor for detecting UV light to meet the needs of a particular client. | |