Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 1, Engineering Design (Allison) (1st-2nd)
We had a great first day! We started by getting to know one another and sharing our background knowledge about engineers. The students made great connections to their experiences with bridges throughout the day.
Our engineering design week is based on a story called Javier Builds a Bridge. We read the story throughout the day and learned how Javier and his family redesigned a bridge that was not working. We discovered that engineers, like civil engineers who design bridges, create and use technology. We defined technology as anything created to solve a problem or meet a need. Ask your child which piece of technology they pulled from our mystery bag!
We also learned many new terms today, including some science vocabulary. We know that engineers use science to help them understand and develop their designs. We discussed forces, motion, mass, and gravity. We also learned that Sir Isaac Newton discovered 3 Laws of Motion. We will focus on one of the laws of motion tomorrow.
Finally, our class explored 3 types of bridges: suspension, arch, and beam. The students will continue to learn throughout the week the characteristics of each type of bridge and will connect how the laws of motion integrate with bridge design. During learning centers, students worked with a small group to complete an engineering task: bridge building, bridge designing, symmetry drawing, or making improvements to address design failures. They will do one station per day Monday to Thursday.
I look forward to a great week of learning the science behind bridges and learning how to use the engineering design process!