Engineering a Floatation Device

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

5

Overview

In this lesson, students will design, test, modify, and optimize a device that uses a chemical reaction. This lesson begins with a design challenge: to invent a small device that uses a chemical reaction to prevent a cell phone from sinking if the phone accidentally falls into the water. Rather than using a 5-E format, the lesson is organized according to the steps of the engineering design process.

Science (2015) Grade(s): 5

SC15.5.4

Investigate whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances (e.g., mixing of baking soda and vinegar resulting in the formation of a new substance, gas; mixing of sand and water resulting in no new substance being formed).

UP:SC15.5.4

Vocabulary

  • variables
  • states of matter
  • properties of matter
  • chemical change
  • physical change
  • evidence
  • temperature

Knowledge

Students know:
  • When two or more different substances are mixed, a new substance with different properties may be formed.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • From a given investigation plan, describe the phenomenon under investigation, including the mixing of two or more substances.
  • Identify the purpose of the investigation.
  • Describe the evidence from data that will be collected, including quantitative and qualitative properties of the substances to be mixed and the resulting substances.
  • Collaboratively plan an investigation and describe the data to be collected, including: how quantitative and qualitative properties of the two or more substances to be mixed will be determined and measured, number of trials for the investigation, how variables will be controlled to ensure a fair test.
  • Collect necessary data.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Cause and effect relationships are identified and used to explain changes like those that occur when two or more substances are mixed together.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

American Chemical Society

License Type

Custom

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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