Riding the T.I.D.E.! Elementary Technology Education Activities for

Grades 3-4

Ms. Katherine Weber (weber@cup.edu)Dr. Daniel Engstrom, DTE (

engstrom@cup.edu)

Overview of Project

• Funded by the National Education Association• Four units focusing on the acronym T.I.D.E.• Written for teachers with no T.I.D.E. experience• Students need to use tools/materials familiar to an

elementary classroom• Include career strand• Approximately three hours in length

Unit Structure

• Teacher Section– Unit Big Idea– Standards– Overview– Outline– Teaching Tips– Background material

• Student Workbook– What is it?– Who does it?– Who did it?– Why should I learn

about it?– How do I do it?

(Design Challenge)

The Design Process

Design It!

Build it!

Try It!

The Design Process

• Design It! - Generate ideas, select an idea and draw it.

• Build It! - Select the materials and build your design according to your drawing.

• Try It! - Test your design and evaluate how well the design works.

The G.R.E.E.N. Mission (Global Re-designers for Environmental friendly Earth Needs)

Overview of unit• Students are introduced to simplified steps that make up the design

process. • The students are then introduced to a scenario where they are asked to

design a solution to a packaging problem for The G.R.E.E.N. Incorporation. This environmental friendly company is hosting an Earth Day contest to seek out ideas for environmental friendly and cost effective ways to package products that could be purchased on the Internet.

Design Challenge:• Design and construct a package that is strong enough to hold the

weight of the item and protect it as it travels through the mail system.

The G.R.E.E.N. Mission (Global Re-designers for Environmental friendly Earth Needs)

The Garden Gadget Gala

Overview of unit• Students will learn the difference between invention and innovation. • They will then be asked to interview an older person to get an idea as

to what garden tools that they have difficulty using. The interview responses will be used to innovate the garden tools that students will bring to class. After the students have changed the garden tool using play dough and other materials they will present their ideas to a panel of invited guests.

Design Challenge• Select an existing garden tool or process, using the materials available,

change the tool or process so that it will be easier to use by an older person.

The Garden Gadget Gala

Investigative Minds

Overview of unit• Students begin to understand how products work by taking them

apart, using simple hand tools, and exploring their inner workings. By doing this they will recognize a variety of different materials, mechanical parts, and uniquely shaped pieces. Through this they will also be introduce to two engineering fields and better understand what work these individuals do.

Design Challenge• Use tools to take apart a toy and discover how it functions in addition

to the types of materials used in it.

Investigative Minds

Technology in a Bag

Overview of unit• In this unit students will begin to understand that common materials

can be used for more than just their intended purpose.• Students will also begin to recognize that particular materials are used

to make products in order to fit their intended purpose.

Design Challenge• Using the products in the provided bag, identify the type of material

from which they are made and what other ways they could be used.

Sam’s Mystery Box

For More Information…

Dr. Daniel Engstrom - engstrom@cup.edu

California University of Pennsylvania

Katherine Weber - weber@cup.edu

California University of Pennsylvania

Human Exploration Project

Human Exploration ProjectSTS-118 Design Challenge

Units Lunar Plant Growth Chamber  Moon Munchies: Elementary School Unit

Big Idea: The engineering design process helps humans to solve the problems of growing plants for food on the moon.

Packing up for the Moon: Middle School UnitBig Idea: Engineering design is a creative planning process that leads to useful products and systems

Lunar Plant Growth Chamber: High School UnitBig Idea: The engineering design process is a comprehensive, valuable tool that can be used to provide solutions to complex challenges, on Earth and beyond.

http://www.iteaconnect.org/EbD/HE/he.htm