Design & Build Challenge
Learning Objectives:
Grow enthusiasm in design and engineering among older elementary students through friendly competition.
Develop an understanding of more complex concepts, including the use of measurement and applicable scale in the design process.
Foster problem-solving skills by addressing issues such as structural support and weight limitations when a build does not align with the initial design.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1
Speaking and Listening
Engage effectively in collaborative discussions with diverse partners.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Teams plan, build, revise, and reflect collaboratively.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.6
Measurement and Data
Measure areas by counting unit squares.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Graph paper design drawing reinforces square unit area concepts.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4
Mathematical Practices
Model with mathematics.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students use drawings, scale, and measurement to represent their designs.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.C.5
Measurement and Data
Recognize area as an attribute of plane figures.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students design to scale on graph paper, applying area and spatial reasoning.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2
Engineering
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Teams brainstorm, plan, test, and revise builds as they encounter design issues.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1
Engineering
Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students are challenged to create elaborate, functional builds within given criteria.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3
Engineering
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Builds are evaluated with shared criteria (creativity, difficulty, design), encouraging iterative design and fair comparison.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.3
Measurement and Data
Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Design drawings and builds require students to think in terms of perimeter and spatial structure.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1
Engineering
Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students are challenged to create elaborate, functional builds within given criteria.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3
Engineering
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Builds are evaluated with shared criteria (creativity, difficulty, design), encouraging iterative design and fair comparison.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.A.1
Measurement and Data
Convert among different-sized standard measurement units.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students may apply conversions when comparing height, scale, or panel measurements.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4
Speaking and Listening
Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students present their designs, building process, and challenges to the class.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1
Mathematical Practices
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students adjust their designs based on structural issues and constraints.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.A.1
Measurement and Data
Tell and write time to the nearest minute and measure time intervals.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students manage build time, plan within limits, and reflect on efficiency.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1
Engineering
Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students are challenged to create elaborate, functional builds within given criteria.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-3
Engineering
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Builds are evaluated with shared criteria (creativity, difficulty, design), encouraging iterative design and fair comparison.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2
Engineering
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Teams brainstorm, plan, test, and revise builds as they encounter design issues.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4
Speaking and Listening
Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students share their process and reasoning behind design decisions.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.1
Measurement and Data
Know relative sizes of measurement units and use measurements in real-world problems.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students apply units of length and height when designing and measuring builds.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-2
Engineering
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Teams brainstorm, plan, test, and revise builds as they encounter design issues.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
Writing
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic.
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
Students can optionally document or write about their process in journals or reflections.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1-1 to 3
Engineering Design
Full Engineering Design set (as above)
HOW DOES THIS LESSON ADDRESS THE STANDARD?
5th grade students engage with higher-level complexity in planning, testing, and revision cycles.
CURRICULUM STANDARDS
