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Subject: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Lesson Length: 35 - 45 mins
Topic: STEM Challenges
Grade Level: 4, 5
Standards:
STEM learning goals
Brief Description: In this lesson, students will describe an invention that would solve a global/environmental problem (ie floods, dangers in icy conditions, pollution, extreme heat, natural disasters, etc)
Know Before You Start: Review the STEM challenge process with students if they aren’t familiar (identify the problem, brainstorm solutions, formulate a plan, construct your solution/design, test your solution, reflect, and iterate/make changes).
Hook: Read and discuss the sample comic. What global/environmental problem was the character facing? What did they invent to solve this problem?
Activity:
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As a class or independently, have students brainstorm a list of global/environmental problems.
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Discuss the function of a prototype. (A prototype is a sample solution and can be as simple as a description or drawing)
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Tell students they will create a comic describing a prototype solution to a global problem. Explain how they will not be able to test their solution, as they would on a home/school problem.
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Using the sample comic as a guide, students will create a 3-5 frame comic including the following:
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The problem
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Brainstorm possible solutions
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Formulate a plan/prototype and discuss how it would solve the problem
Closure: Students will share their proposed inventions with a partner.
Differentiation:
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Allow students to work with a partner
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Allow students to use speech-to-text feature
Resources: Comic to print or display: Comic 1.
Suggested Content Pack(s):
The Environment
Physical Geography
