BY Serpa Lauren
West Tisbury School
Project Description
The funds from this grant would be used to purchase the Engineering is Elementary (EIE) curriculum kit called, “To Get to the Other Side: Designing Bridges”. This is a kit aligned to the NGSS standards for Grade 3 Science. These are new standards and I have never taught this topic. The kit was developed by the Boston Museum of Science. It teaches students about civil engineers. When civil engineers design bridges, they must take into account factors like balance and motion. This unit introduces the principles behind bridge design with the storybook Javier Builds a Bridge, about a boy who needs a safe footbridge to get to his island play fort. Students will reinforce their understanding of “push” and “pull” as they explore how forces act on different structures. They’ll use what they know about balance and force as they experiment with beam, arch, and suspension bridges-and learn how bridge designs counteract and redirect forces and motion. In the final design challenge, students plan, build, and test their own bridges.
How will the project be evaluated (e.g. how will you gauge its success)
The project will be evaluated by student engagement and enthusiasm. The kit comes with it’s own pre and post assessments and I will assess them as well.
Benefit to the students and the school
The students will enjoy using this hands on kit and will be introduced to a new topic. I will have access to a teacher friendly kit to teach a topic I have never taught, and the school will benefit by having STEM savvy students.
Timeline of Project (when will you do the project, if applicable)
I will use this kit as soon as I get it.