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Infant Incubator Lesson 14

What materials will work best to build the incubator?

Student Sheet 

Teacher Answers 

Estimated class Time:

Two 40-minute class periods

Question:

What materials will work best to build the incubator?

Materials:

  • The items on the building materials list should be available to students
  • Thermometers
  • Heat lamps/packs
  • Rulers

Lesson Level Learning Objectives:

  • MS-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.

Phenomenon:

Suggested intro: Use a scenario in which multiple solutions/materials will solve a problem, but one works better than all of them.

Reference black blocks: Which worked better? Which would you choose? Why? 

Thinking Scientifically About Materials

Students individually review the materials list and note the materials they plan to use in their prototype. Then, they explain how each item connects with/uses conduction, convection, or radiation.

Test Materials

Material testing day, students will work in a group to test three materials in the classroom. Provide students with the tools they need such as thermometers, infrared thermometers, scales, rulers, heat lamps, etc.

Homework:  

CER -Write a CER based on their testing results to explain which materials they would use to build their incubator.

 

What we Figured Out: 

  • Students will decide/learn which of the available materials will work best to create their incubators (this will vary based on the materials available).

Questions we still have:

  • How will the materials I choose work together?
  • What am I going to do next?
  • How will I build the incubator?

 

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