Lesson summary
Everyday objects can contain the most interesting STEM designs and ideas – whether simple household pegs, classroom staplers, or advanced technology such as the iPad. But what is really happening to make the items work? This STEM lesson is designed to inspire students to think about how things are made, how they work and the STEM inspiration behind them. The students use critical thinking skills to develop STEM-inspired questions as they consider each item of interest or wonder. They then create a mash-up idea, bringing two concepts together in a design challenge.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- consider everyday objects through a STEM lens
- have an experience in design inspiration
- use STEM concepts to create new inventions
- engage with design processes.
Success criteria:
Students can...
- name and recognise STEM concepts in objects
- develop creative ideas
- share ideas with others
- work collaboratively.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
21st Century Skills
This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:
- collaboration
- communication
- creativity
- critical thinking
- problem solving
- social skills.
Curriculum Mapping
Australian curriculum content descriptions:
Years 3 & 4 Design and Technologies:
- describe how forces and the properties of materials affect function in a product or system (AC9TDE4K02)
- explore needs or opportunities for designing, and test materials, components, tools, equipment and processes needed to create designed solutions (AC9TDE4P01)
- generate and communicate design ideas and decisions using appropriate attributions, technical terms and graphical representation techniques, including using digital tools (AC9TDE4P02)
Syllabus outcomes: ST2-13MW, ST2-5WT
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, Numeracy, Personal and social capability
Relevant parts of Years 3 & 4 achievement standards:
Students describe how people design products, services and environments to meet the needs of people, including sustainability. Students select design ideas against design criteria. Students securely access and use digital systems and their peripherals for a range of purposes, including transmitting data. They communicate design ideas using models and drawings, including annotations and symbols. Students plan and sequence steps and use technologies and techniques to safely produce designed solutions.
Time required: 70 mins
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium to High. Teachers and educators are to set the experience and guide the children during the STEM session. The role of the teacher switches to a co-facilitator assisting groups in the Mashable design phase
Resources Required
- 2B pencils or coloured pencils
- blank paper
- butcher’s paper or whiteboard
- collection of everyday objects – see teacher preparation
- device and projector capable of presenting information to the class (optional)
- sticky notes
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student
- Think, Pair, Share Worksheet – one copy per student.
Additional Info
This is an original Cool+ lesson.
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