Description
Students will use Design Thinking to create a balloon-powered car. Students will design, create a prototype, and conduct iterative testing to design and improve a balloon car. Students will consider constraints and criteria and will compare design solutions in the engineering challenge. The whole engineering process takes about 4 class periods.
This resource includes:
- A slide show on the design process
- Detailed lesson plan
- Follow-up pages
- Photos, tips, and suggestions
- Constraints, criteria and, iterative testing
- Comparing two designs
Students and Teachers Love This Resource!
Sofia ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Extremely Satisfied
My students loved the whole design process and really benefitted from this unit. So much more included than just making the car. My students learned about interactive testing and variables. It was a great unit.
Emily ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Extremely Satisfied
This was an interesting STEM challenge that incorporated a lot of science! My students were definitely thinking and using engineering skills! Two thumbs up!
This resource meets the following standards:
NGSS MS-ETS1-1 Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions
NGSS MS-ETS1-2.Evaluate competing design solutions
using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
NGSS MS-ETS1-3
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.
NGSS MS-ETS1-4
Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
Save money and purchase this in the larger bundle; Engineering for Middle School Science.
