This is a FLEX class in which learners complete the challenges on their own schedule. There are no live meetings. 

Summary:  This 5 week flex class will provide learners with exposure and application of the engineering and design process (EDP). The steps of the EDP include plan, create, test and improve. Content and challenges will be presented, via video uploads, to learners each Monday of the class. 
 
Teacher-Learner Interaction:
Learners will submit photographs and/or videos of their completed projects on Thursday of each week to the classroom. The teacher will provide feedback via the learners tab on each project on Friday of each week.

Learner-Learner Interaction:
Other learners will be encouraged to view products and provide peer feedback via prompts provided each Friday. Discussion between learners will occur in the classroom and will be moderated by the teacher. The teacher will respond, as needed, to learner-learner interaction to facilitate learning and conversation. In addition to discussion, learner to learner interactions to facilitate collaboration will be included each week. 

Details of each weeks project are described below along with interaction details. 

Week One
Monday: Video of challenge will be uploaded to classroom.
Challenge: Use one piece of paper to create the longest paper chain possible. 
Materials: 1 piece of 8 1/2 x 11 or a4 paper
                 glue or tape (or other adhesive)
                 scissors *adult supervision is suggested when using scissors
                 ruler or measuring tape
As learners watch the class video they will be guided to use the EDP to complete the challenge. Focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) will be highlighted. Teacher will model the process and provide suggestions via video. Independent thinking and problem solving will be encouraged throughout. 

Thursday: Learners will submit their completed paper chains to the classroom via video uploads or photographs. They will upload their products by using the blue paper clip to share the photos or video. Learners will type the length of their chains along with measurement type used (inches, centimeters, etc.) with the comment. The teacher will create a graph to compare the lengths (part of the math for this project) of each chain. 

Friday: Teacher will submit comments to each learner project. Comments will highlight the use of the EDP and include questions to ensure learners understand the STEM concepts practiced in the challenge. Learners will be encouraged to comment on other learners project submissions. 

Learner to Learner Interaction
Prompts for this week: What factors lead to the varying lengths of the chains? How could your peers projects be used in another way?
Scavenger Hunt: Find an item in your home or yard equal to the length of your chain. Post the item you found in the classroom. When you post your item suggest an object for your classmates to measure with their chains (i.e. how many of your chains long is your bed?).

Week Two
Monday: Video of challenge will be uploaded to the classroom.
Challenge: Create a performance stage or venue.
Materials: 3x5 index cards (25-30)
                 tape
                 heavy objects such as full cans of food, hardback books, etc.
As learners watch the class video they will be guided to use the EDP to complete the challenge. Focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) will be highlighted. Teacher will model the process and provide suggestions via video. Independent thinking and problem solving will be encouraged throughout. 

Thursday: Learners will submit their stage designs to the classroom via video uploads or photographs. They will upload their products by using the blue paper clip to share the photos or video. Learners will tell details of their stage and show the solid figure shapes used to complete the stage. Amount of weight held by each stage will be included.  

Friday: Teacher will submit comments to each learner project. Comments will highlight the use of the EDP and include questions to ensure learners understand the STEM concepts practiced in the challenge. Learners will be encouraged to comment on other learners project submissions.

Learner to Learner Interaction
Prompts for this week: Why did you choose the solid figures? How could you change your stage to allow for more weight?
Weight game: What other objects hold the same weight as your stage? Use a food scale or weight scale to find similar items and share with your classmates. Challenge your classmates to find items which weigh the same as your weight. 

Week Three
Monday: Video of challenge will be uploaded to the classroom.
Challenge: Create a boat from foil that floats and holds passengers.
Materials: 3x6 piece of aluminum foil plus extra for extensions
                 container half full of water such as a plastic shoe box or casserole dish
                 small objects for passengers such as coins, dried beans, beads or buttons
                 towel or paper towel to clean spills *parent supervision suggested around water to ensure safety
As learners watch the class video they will be guided to use the EDP to complete the challenge. Focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) will be highlighted. Teacher will model the process and provide suggestions via video. Independent thinking and problem solving will be encouraged throughout. 

Thursday: Learners will submit their boat designs to the classroom via video uploads or photographs. They will upload their products by using the blue paper clip to share the photos or video. Learners will quantity of passengers their boat held. Each passenger will be charged a 'fee'. Total fees earned for each boat will be shared with the comment. Learners may submit additional boat designs as well.

Friday: Teacher will submit comments to each learner project. Comments will highlight the use of the EDP and include questions to ensure learners understand the STEM concepts practiced in the challenge. Learners will be encouraged to comment on other learners project submissions.

Learner to Learner Interaction
Prompts for this week: Why do you think each design held passengers? How could boat designs change so that additional passengers could board the boat?
Cruise ship game: Imagine you are going on a cruise ship vacation. What features would you want the cruise ship to have? List your top five features. Challenge your classmates to tell you what features they would like and why.

Week Four
Monday: Video of challenge will be uploaded to the classroom.
Challenge: Create a paper plate maze. 
Materials: paper plate (or plate from the cabinet you can return when finished)
                marble or other small sphere shaped object
                tape or glue
                assorted items for maze obstacles such as scrap paper, straw pieces, string/yarn, paper tubes, paper cups
                scissors *adult supervision is recommended when using scissors
As learners watch the class video they will be guided to use the EDP to complete the challenge. Focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) will be highlighted. Teacher will model the process and provide suggestions via video. Independent thinking and problem solving will be encouraged throughout. 

Thursday: Learners will submit their mazes to the classroom via video uploads or photographs. Videos of learners completing their mazes will be encouraged. They will upload their products by using the blue paper clip to share the photos or video. Learners will include their obstacles and elapsed time to complete mazes. 

Friday: Teacher will submit comments to each learner project. Comments will highlight the use of the EDP and include questions to ensure learners understand the STEM concepts practiced in the challenge. Learners will be encouraged to comment on other learners project submissions. 

Learner to Learner Interaction
Prompts for this week: How did the included obstacles create challenge? How could maze completion time be improved?
Obstacle Course Game: Create an obstacle course in your room or in your yard (weather permitting). Take photos or a video of your obstacle course. Ask your classmates to suggest additional obstacles you could create. 

Week Five
Monday: Video of challenge will be uploaded to the classroom.
Challenge: Create a bridge or house with craft (popsicle) sticks.
Materials: craft sticks, any size or color, you'll need many (50 or more)
                 glue or tape (hot glue gun can be used with adult supervision)
                 items to drive over your bridge or put in your house
                 paper towel or towel to clean excess glue
As learners watch the class video they will be guided to use the EDP to complete the challenge. Focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) will be highlighted. Teacher will model the process and provide suggestions via video. Independent thinking and problem solving will be encouraged throughout. 

Thursday: Learners will submit their completed bridges or houses to the classroom via video uploads or photographs. They will upload their products by using the blue paper clip to share the photos or video. Learners will share their design plans with the comment.

Friday: Teacher will submit comments to each learner project. Comments will highlight the use of the EDP and include questions to ensure learners understand the STEM concepts practiced in the challenge. Learners will be encouraged to comment on other learners project submissions.

Learner to Learner Interaction
Prompt for this week: How does the bridge or house design incorporate shapes? 
I have, you have bridge game: Think about a bridge in your city or town. Tell your classmates what type of bridge you have (example: I have a bridge engineered with triangles.) and challenge them to respond with their own question (i.e. What shape bridge is in your city/town?).


My teaching style is engaging and inclusive. I will encourage learners to use their own ideas as they engage in each challenge. Teacher to learner and learner to learner interaction will be highlighted and focused each week.