Engineering is Elementary

Todays Goals To experience an introductory engineering activity To introduce you to the Engineering is Elementary curriculum project and resources What is Engineering?

The Scenario A zoo in Phoenix, AZ would like to add an Emperor Penguin enclosure to its exhibit offerings. They would like you, a group of engineers, to help them prototype an penguin energy-efficient enclosure.

What is the problem? What do you need to know before you start? Design a model enclosure that keeps our model penguins from melting in the hot Arizona sun. The penguins will be modeled using ice

cubes. A deli container will be the base for your penguin enclosure. You have an unlimited amount of tape and 5 pieces of material to construct a roof. You

have scissors to use as a tool. You may only use ONE of each type of material. Visitors must have a 360 view of the penguin in the enclosure.

You have 18 minutes to complete your Testing Chamber (Arizona) Penguins Materials

Plastic deli container Other Materials to choose from: 1 binder clip 1 rubber band Black: construction paper, foam, felt White: copy paper, paper towel, wax paper

Reflective: mylar, aluminum foil Using this model, how will we measure the success of our designs? Perspiring Penguin Data Sheet Design a model enclosure that keeps our model penguins from melting in the hot Arizona sun.

The penguins will be modeled using ice cubes. A deli container will be the base for your penguin enclosure.

You have an unlimited amount of tape and 5 pieces of material to construct a roof. You have scissors to use as a tool. You may only use ONE of each type of material.

Visitors must have a 360 view of the penguin in the enclosure. You have 18 minutes to complete your Using verbs, describe what you did during the design process.

The Engineering Design Process Criteria Constraints Science knowledge Ask Imagin e

The Goal To solve a problem by developing or improving a technology. Improv e Brainstorming

No evaluation Create and test Plan Reflection

What science content and skills can you connect to this activity? What types of modifications would you make for younger students? How do you see this working in a

classroom? Important Note: This activity was inspired by Dr. Christine Schnittkas unit Save the Penguins. An engineering design-based science activity geared towards middle school students

Designed to help students confront misconceptions they hold about heat, energy, and heat transfer Can be downloaded here: http://www.uky.edu/~ csc222/ETK/SaveThePenguinsETK.pdf Contact Info:

Engineering is Elementary [email protected] 617-589-0230 www.mos.org/eie