First Grade Engineers: Design Fun!

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch: Story and Exploration - Begin by sharing a story or video about how simple machines are used in everyday life. Set up hands-on exploration stations with wheels, pulleys, and ramps for students to experiment with moving small objects. Facilitate a discussion to share observations and brainstorm machine design ideas. (30 min)	Material Gathering and Idea Brainstorming - Host a 'Build-a-Thon' where students, with family guidance, gather materials like cardboard, string, and tape. Encourage creative brainstorming of simple machine ideas to solve the problem of carrying objects. (30 min)	Design and Build Session - Students begin designing and constructing their simple machines using gathered materials. Focus on creating a basic inclined plane to illustrate how it reduces effort. Encourage students to document their process. (30 min)	Design Check-In and Feedback - Conduct one-on-one sessions where students present their progress and receive feedback. Discuss challenges faced and brainstorm potential improvements. Encourage self-reflection on the process. (30 min)	Presentation and Reflection - Students present their simple machines at a 'Mini Engineers Expo,' explaining how they work and what problem they solve. Use peer and teacher feedback for refinement. Students draw diagrams of their machines and complete a reflective journal entry. (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Students will collaboratively brainstorm and sketch initial design ideas for their simple machines after the hands-on exploration. 2. Each student will create a labeled diagram of their design, indicating the materials and tools they plan to use. 3. Students will write a reflective journal entry describing their design process, challenges faced, and how they incorporated feedback. 4. By the end of the week, students will construct a basic inclined plane using the materials provided that can effectively move an object. 5. Students will present their simple machines at the 'Mini Engineers Expo,' explaining their design process and receiving feedback from peers and teachers.
Preparation	1. Gather a variety of materials like cardboard, string, tape, wheels, small toy cars, plastic cups, and ramps for students to use. 2. Prepare a video or story introducing the concept of simple machines and how they are used in everyday life. 3. Set up exploration stations with different materials for students to experiment with during the initial class. 4. Organize a schedule for one-on-one feedback sessions for the mid-week design check-in. 5. Communicate with families to encourage them to gather and send in additional materials for the Build-a-Thon.

Activities

Project Launch: Story and Exploration - Begin by sharing a story or video about how simple machines are used in everyday life. Set up hands-on exploration stations with wheels, pulleys, and ramps for students to experiment with moving small objects. Facilitate a discussion to share observations and brainstorm machine design ideas. (30 min)

Material Gathering and Idea Brainstorming - Host a 'Build-a-Thon' where students, with family guidance, gather materials like cardboard, string, and tape. Encourage creative brainstorming of simple machine ideas to solve the problem of carrying objects. (30 min)

Design and Build Session - Students begin designing and constructing their simple machines using gathered materials. Focus on creating a basic inclined plane to illustrate how it reduces effort. Encourage students to document their process. (30 min)

Design Check-In and Feedback - Conduct one-on-one sessions where students present their progress and receive feedback. Discuss challenges faced and brainstorm potential improvements. Encourage self-reflection on the process. (30 min)

Presentation and Reflection - Students present their simple machines at a 'Mini Engineers Expo,' explaining how they work and what problem they solve. Use peer and teacher feedback for refinement. Students draw diagrams of their machines and complete a reflective journal entry. (30 min)

Deliverables

1. Students will collaboratively brainstorm and sketch initial design ideas for their simple machines after the hands-on exploration.
2. Each student will create a labeled diagram of their design, indicating the materials and tools they plan to use.
3. Students will write a reflective journal entry describing their design process, challenges faced, and how they incorporated feedback.
4. By the end of the week, students will construct a basic inclined plane using the materials provided that can effectively move an object.
5. Students will present their simple machines at the 'Mini Engineers Expo,' explaining their design process and receiving feedback from peers and teachers.

Preparation

1. Gather a variety of materials like cardboard, string, tape, wheels, small toy cars, plastic cups, and ramps for students to use.
2. Prepare a video or story introducing the concept of simple machines and how they are used in everyday life.
3. Set up exploration stations with different materials for students to experiment with during the initial class.
4. Organize a schedule for one-on-one feedback sessions for the mid-week design check-in.
5. Communicate with families to encourage them to gather and send in additional materials for the Build-a-Thon.