S.T.E.A.M.

Laboratory Lesson Plan

Teacher: Jennifer Falestiny
Date: Session Three
Lesson Title: Engineering Light - Bioluminescence App Design Simulation
Grade(s): 6-8
Time: 45 minutes
Elements Used:
Science: Biology
Technology: google slides, computers
Engineering: Strategic planning
Arts: creativity and design
Mathematics: proportion
Standards:
SC.6.N.1.5 Recognize that sciences involves creativity, not just in designing plans and experiments,
but also in creating explanations to fit evidence. SC.6.N.2.3 Recognize that scientists who make
contributions to scientific knowledge come from different types of backgrounds and possess varied
talents, interests and goals.
Learning Goal(s):
Students will choose an organism of their choice that produces bioluminescence, possesses a
gene that is fluorescent in nature or possesses a gene that is chromatophilic in nature .
Students will design and create an informative app about their topic including but not limited to:
photographs, videos, informational text and factual information. Students will learn how to use the
online platform Google Slides to create an engaging app simulation project for a target audience
of Kindergarten to Third Grade.
Learning Objectives:
Students will use Google Slides (online power point platform) to work as a team designing an app

proposal simulation. Students will engineer slides with coded buttons used to navigate through the
slides as if to simulate touch screen buttons that bring you to new windows in an app. Later in the
project before presentations, all student groups will Share their project link with another group to
serve as app testers; that group will then use the commenting section to give feedback to their
peers on what to improve or what could be clarified.

Materials Needed:
Computers
Internet Access
Google Account
Prior Knowledge or Prep needed:
How to use Google Slides
Lesson Content:
4 class sessions of 45 minutes each to complete.

Explain to students that they will be working in teams of two to three to design and create
an app proposal simulation using the online Google Slides power point around a specimine
of their choice that produces, reflects or refracts naturally produced light.
Play power point to introduce the topic of bioluminescence, fluorescence and
chromatophores.
Show students example power point app.
Teach students how to use the buttons function to help navigate through the slides as if to
simulate a touch screen app buttons function.
Students will need to choose partners and complete the partnership contract and list of split
responsibilities.
Students will work towards the checklist, getting portions signed off by Mrs. Falestiny before
advancing to the next phase of the project.
Students need to research three light producing specimens and get one approved as their
topic for their informative app.
Students will then design an icon for the home screen to represent their app
Students will then design a layout of their app with four button options on the home screen
of their app:

*** STUDENTS MUST HAVE VOICE RECORDING FOR EACH SLIDE (ESOL STUDENTS, EMERGANT READERS, ESE ACCOMODATIONS)**

App Icon Home Slide

4 Buttons (Facts, Video, Images, Vocabulary)

4 Fact slides
Interesting Facts
How does their light work
What is the light used for
Where does the specimen live

o
o
o

1 Video Slide
3-4 Image Slides
6-8 Vocabulary Terms

After the checklist is completed, students will share their slides link with another group
The other group will participate in an engaged conversations through the comments
feature acting as a test group for the app. Students reviewing the app will provide
comments and suggestions as to what needs further clarification and if any information is
missing.
Students will complete task within four sessions and will present their app simulation
presentation to the class, as well as a 2-3 page research paper on their specimine, APA
source situations, signed off checklist, and the team roles and responsibilities sheet

ESOL and ESE accommodations: preferential seating if needed, visual cues and graphics, peer
partners, small groups.

Ipad App Design Project Checklist

Team Members: _________________________________ ________________________________
Checklist:

Date:

Signed off:

Team Roles Established

_____________ _____________

Topic Approved

_____________ _____________

Research Sheet Complete

_____________ _____________

App Icon Design

_____________ _____________

App Outline

_____________ _____________

App Icon Home Slide

_____________ _____________

o
o

4 Buttons (Facts, Video, Images, Vocabulary)

4 Fact slides
o
o
o
o
o

_____________ _____________

Interesting Facts
How does their light work
What is the light used for
Where does the specimen live
VOICE RECORDING FOR EACH SLIDE

1 Video Slide

______________ ______________

3-4 Image Slides

______________ ______________

6-8 Vocabulary Terms

______________ ______________

VOICE RECORDING FOR EACH SLIDE

______________ _______________

Information Cited APA Format

______________ _______________

Slides work with buttons on each slide

______________ _______________

Visually appealing

______________ ________________

TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES CONTRACT PAPER

Team Members_____________________________ ______________________________
A detailed description of your procedure must be laid out below (from beginning through the actual roles of who is drawing which
templates, who is responsible for each slide ect.) and each step must be assigned to a partner member in parentheses and highlighted.
Ex: Responsible for holding all papers in a safe location (Billy Bob)

Who is responsible for your papers? _____(YOUR NAME OR PARTNERS NAME)_____________________

Procedure
1. Fill out Team Roles Paper (this paper )

( YOUR NAME HERE )

2.

This is our team contract. We agree to work together and to do our best in collaborating to complete this project.
_________________________________
Partner #1 Sign

_______________________________
Partner#2 Sign

______________
Date