Lesson

Topic
Subject(s)
Standard(s
)

Animal umbrellas
Science, engineering, math, speaking
NGSS:
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Ask questions based on observations to find more information
about the natural and/or designed world(s). (K-2-ETS1-1)
Define a simple problem that can be solved through the
development of a new or improved object or tool. (K-2-ETS1-1)
Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Analyze data from tests of an object
ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
A situation that people want to change or create can be
approached as a problem to be solved through engineering. (K-2ETS1-1)
Asking questions, making observations, and gathering
information are helpful in thinking about problems. (K-2-ETS1-1)
Before beginning to design a solution, it is important to clearly
understand the problem. (K-2-ETS1-1)
ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
Because there is always more than one possible solution to a
problem, it is useful to compare and test designs. (K-2-ETS1-3)
Structure and Function
The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed
objects are related to their function(s). (K-2-ETS1-2)
Math:
AK.K.G.1 Describe objects in the environment using names of
shapes and describe their relative positions (e.g., above, below,
beside, in front of, behind, next to
ELA:
AK.SL.K.4 Describe familiar people, places, things, and events, and
with prompting and support, provide additional related details
AK.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas
clearly in complete sentences when appropriate to task and
situation.

Objective(s
)

Time
Materials
Process

Students will work collaboratively with a partner

Students will create a reasonable umbrella
Students will improve their umbrella after testing it
Students will describe the relative positions of their
animal and umbrella while testing it
Students will tell about their design process audibly and
coherently
45 minutes
Scratch paper, newspaper, paper bags, felt, plastic
bags, pipe cleaners, straws, other collage-box type
items as desired, tape, stapler, scissors
1. Review the engineering design process
2. Show the stuffed animals and describe the problem

Assessment(
s)

(it is rainy and they dont want to get wet.)

3. Have individuals imagine one solution to the problem.
4. Have partners share their ideas and make a plan
together.
5. Pass out animals to partnerships. Give them access
to building materials.
6. As partnerships feel they have created a good
umbrella, allow them to test it at the sink by spraying
water over the umbrella. Ask students to describe the
positions of their animal and umbrella before making it
rain.
7. Encourage partnerships to improve their umbrella if
their animal got wet (try to get them wet the first time
to allow for the improvement process)
8. When most or all partnerships have had an
opportunity to improve their umbrellas reconvene the
group. Let individuals or partners show their umbrellas
and explain how they improved them.
9. Prompt students to notice similarities and differences
between umbrella designs.
Observation:
-Works with partner cooperatively
-Improves umbrella
-Describes positions
-Speaks audibly
-Speaks coherently
Work sample:
-Umbrella