Is It Strong?
In this unit, students expand on their growing understanding of engineering and what it means to be an engineer. The activities engage them with a real-life problem that often faces engineers: how to make things strong. Students also learn part of the design cycle by testing their designs and improving them.
Included Curriculum:
4 Lessons
Minimum Time Commitment:
(4) 30-Minute Class Periods
Grade Level:
PreK - 1st
Lessons
How Much Load Can It Hold?
In this lesson, students will explore what it means for something to be strong and the relationship between weight, strength, load, and reinforcement.
Note: Students can work in teams of 2 to complete this lesson. Make sure to provide each team with a Construction Mat and the correct assortment of Engineering Materials as listed in the Teacher Lesson Plan.
Lesson Time:
30 Minutes
STEM Lab: ROK Blocks STEM Lab
The Long Haul
In this lesson, students will explore how to make things strong. Students will discuss how to make “work” easier as they build, test and improve a flatbed truck.
Note: Students can work in teams of 2 to complete this lesson. Make sure to provide each team with a Construction Mat and the correct assortment of Engineering Materials as listed in the Teacher Lesson Plan.
Lesson Time:
30 Minutes
STEM Lab: ROK Blocks STEM Lab
Make Your Castle Strong
In this lesson, students will use their new engineering skills to build and test a castle wall, and then improve on the design to make it stronger. Then, students will move into a “focused” free build, where they create, test, and improve their own castle wall design.
Note: Students can work in teams of up to 2 to complete this lesson. Make sure to provide each team with a Construction Mat and the correct assortment of Engineering Materials as listed in the Teacher Lesson Plan.
Lesson Time:
30 Minutes
STEM Lab: ROK Blocks STEM Lab
Free Build
In this lesson, students are free to create something of their own design. Students can use the skills they have learned throughout previous lessons to build and improve a custom design.
Lesson Time:
30 - 40 Minutes
STEM Lab: ROK Blocks STEM Lab