Subject: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Lesson Length: 35 - 45 mins
Topic: STEM Challenges
Brief Description: In this lesson, students will describe an invention that would solve a global/ environmental problem e.g., flooding, waste disposal, pollution, extreme heat, etc..
Know Before You Start: Review the STEM challenge process with students:
- Identify the problem.
- Brainstorm solutions.
- Formulate a plan.
- Construct your solution/design.
- Test your solution.
- Reflect.
- 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 that 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 three-to-five-panel comic that includes the following:
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The problem.
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Possible solutions.
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A plan/prototype and an explanation or discussion about 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 the speech-to-text feature as needed.
Resources:
- Comic to print or display: Comic.
Suggested Content Pack(s):