Challenge 4: Help a Bird Out!100
1 1
grade grade
STEMulating Design Challenges in Science, Grades K–2
TEACHER GUIDE
Challenge 4: Help a Bird Out!
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS (EDP)
ENGAGE ENGAGE
ENGAGE
• Present the design challenge, identify the constraints and criteria, and facilitate a class discussion to ensure all students understand the challenge.
• Create a “Know/Need to Know” T-chart for teams to reference throughout the challenge.
• Show s
tudents the eggs and the tree that will be used during the testing process.
• Divide the class into teams of 3–4 students and assign each team a place to work.
ASK
Introduce the problem by discussing springtime weather and the fact that most birds nest
and lay eggs in the spring. Show students a time-lapse video of a bird building a nest.
Read the problem aloud to the class. Identify birds that are native to your area and allow
each team to select a different bird. You may choose to have all teams design a nest for
the same bird.
SENTENCE STEMS:
• The problem is . . .
• The challenge is . . .
• To meet the criteria, the design needs to . . .
• The constraints are . . .
• To solve this problem, I need to know or learn more about . . .
• Others have tried . . .
• I would solve the problem by . . .
FACILITATION QUESTION:
• How can we help meet the needs
of a bird who has lost their nest
during a storm?
FACILITATION QUESTIONS:
• What do birds need to survive?
• Are all bird nests the same?
• What does a nest need to do? A nest needs to protect eggs and baby birds. It needs to stay together and in place during a storm. It needs to allow water to flow through it while staying together. It also needs to blend in with its surroundings.
• What are the criteria? What are the constraints?
• What do you need to know in order to solve this problem?
1 1
grade grade
STEMulating Design Challenges in Science, Grades K–2
TEACHER GUIDE
Challenge 4: Help a Bird Out!
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS (EDP)
ENGAGE ENGAGE
ENGAGE
• Present the design challenge, identify the constraints and criteria, and facilitate a class discussion to ensure all students understand the challenge.
• Create a “Know/Need to Know” T-chart for teams to reference throughout the challenge.
• Show s
tudents the eggs and the tree that will be used during the testing process.
• Divide the class into teams of 3–4 students and assign each team a place to work.
ASK
Introduce the problem by discussing springtime weather and the fact that most birds nest
and lay eggs in the spring. Show students a time-lapse video of a bird building a nest.
Read the problem aloud to the class. Identify birds that are native to your area and allow
each team to select a different bird. You may choose to have all teams design a nest for
the same bird.
SENTENCE STEMS:
• The problem is . . .
• The challenge is . . .
• To meet the criteria, the design needs to . . .
• The constraints are . . .
• To solve this problem, I need to know or learn more about . . .
• Others have tried . . .
• I would solve the problem by . . .
FACILITATION QUESTION:
• How can we help meet the needs
of a bird who has lost their nest
during a storm?
FACILITATION QUESTIONS:
• What do birds need to survive?
• Are all bird nests the same?
• What does a nest need to do? A nest needs to protect eggs and baby birds. It needs to stay together and in place during a storm. It needs to allow water to flow through it while staying together. It also needs to blend in with its surroundings.
• What are the criteria? What are the constraints?
• What do you need to know in order to solve this problem?
