University Teaching Lesson Brief Summer A 2016

Puja Kapadia, Susanne Steward, Katia Grant, Jeeshan Ahmed

Engineering Design Challenge
Title: Can you keep your hand warm in ice water?
Grade Level: Can be modified for K-5
Description of Lesson: The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the biological
science concepts of how Artic animals keep themselves warm in their cold
environment and to correlate it to engineered and designed products solving the
same problem for humans. Many types of Artic animals possess a layer of blubber
and or a layer of fur, which is intended to insulate them from the cold temperatures
on land and in water. Students will also correlate Engineering and Design principles
to the creation of human products modeled on natural principles through a
discussion of how human made products like winter jackets help keep us warm and
conserve heat. Students will receive hands on experience by being able to put their
hands in a bucket of ice water, one is protected by their own insulated design and
one is left un-insulated. Students will design their own insulated glove that will keep
their right hand dry and warm for two minutes. Students with the designed glove
that keeps their hand the warmest, as measured by the thermometer, will share
with others how they designed it.
Rationale/ Related Science and Engineering Standards:
NGSS 2-LS4-1 Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems Performance
Expectation: Make observations of plants and animals to compare diversity of
life in different habitats.
NGSS LS4.D Biodiversity and Humans Disciplinary Core Ideas. There are
many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places
on land and in water. (2-LS4-1)
NGSS 2-PS1-2: Structure and Properties of Matter Performance
Expectation: Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to
determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for the
intended purpose. I.e. heat retention.
NGSS 2-PS1-2: Structure and Properties of Matter. Engineering
Crosscut. Every human-made product is designed by applying some knowledge
of the natural world and is built by using natural materials.
NGSS K-2-ETS1-1. Engineering Design Performance Expectation: Ask
questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people
want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through
development of a new or improved object or tool.
NGSS 3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design Performance Expectation: Define a
simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria
for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

Approximate Time: 15 minutes for University Teaching. 30 minutes for K-5.

Preparation/Materials for University
4 Water basins filled with water
and ice
Feathers

Teaching:
4 tables with 4 members each.
4 Thermometers
Recording Sheet

University Teaching Lesson Brief Summer A 2016

Crisco
Cotton Balls
Two Baggies

Procedure:

Students will work in groups of 4, assigned by their current tables.

Time limit for activity is 15 minutes.
Student will put left hand quickly in the ice bucket to confirm that the water does
make their hand cold. Only one volunteer per table is needed to do this.
Students will use the materials on the table in any combination to construct an
insulated glove. Multiple attempts with different materials may be done.
Web App #1 - Go to thebeakers.weebly.com and type in the material(s) you
think will provide the greatest insulation in your glove.
Put your designed insulated glove on your right hand. Hold the thermometer on
the palm of your right-hand and place into ice water up to the line on the bag.
Leave in the water for 2 minutes. Only one volunteer per table needed.
Record the temperature of your right hand after 2 minutes.
The goal is to maintain the same right hand temperature before and after putting
it into the ice water for two minutes in your designed glove.
To keep the hand dry the glove should not be submerged completely, just up to
the line.

Assessment:
Walk around the room to assess scientific thinking and questions and help those
that need it.
Ask students how they think products in our human world that help keep us warm
are modeled after this natural world heat retention principal?
What are some of the things we use to keep us warm?
How did you form your insulated glove?
Why did you choose this design?
How would you change your glove?
Did your hand stay warm?

Beginning Temperature in C

Ending Temperature in C

Helpful Hints/Suggestions:
Make sure children understand their jobs as team members. Make sure children are
aware of any safety concerns prior to conducting the experiment. Make sure to give
children a brief outline of what is going to happen during the activity and our

University Teaching Lesson Brief Summer A 2016

expectations of them during this time. Speak with the classroom teacher
beforehand to ensure that the groups and partnerships make sense to her and that
students within those groups should be able to work together. Make sure to keep
tying back the experiment to the real world. By the end of the period students
should be able to make the connection that animals have physical characteristics
that help them to adapt to their environments (blubber for animals in the arctic to
help keep them warm).