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Pumpkin Safety Device

In this provocation, students will design and build a device that can safety carry a giant pumpkin.  

Objective:

  • Students will work in teams or with partners to design and build a device that can safely carry a "giant" pumpkin.

Problem-solving and strategic thinking:

  • Students will be able to explain how to distribute weight evenly across their device to ensure stability when carrying the pumpkin.

  • Students will accurately measure the dimensions of their pumpkin and their device using rulers or measuring tapes to ensure proper fit and balance.

  • Students will design a device that demonstrates basic engineering principles, such as balance, support, and structural integrity, to safely carry the pumpkin.

  • Students will test their devices by carrying the pumpkin and evaluate the effectiveness of their designs based on how well they can transport the pumpkin without dropping it.

Standards/Objectives addressed:

  • K-PS2-1:Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.

  • 1-PS2-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.

  • 2-PS1-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

  • SL.K.5: Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.

  • SL.1.5: Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions to provide additional detail.

  • SL.2.5: Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; include visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

  • K.MD.A.1 Describe measurable attributes of objects, such as length or weight. Describe several measurable attributes of a single object.

  • 1.MD.A.1 Order three objects by length; compare the lengths of two objects indirectly by using a third object.

  • 2.MD.A.1 Measure the length of an object twice, using length units of different lengths for the two measurements; describe how the two measurements relate to the size of the unit chosen.

Background knowledge needed:

  • Basic Understanding of Balance

  • Simple Engineering Concepts

  • Measurement Skills

  • Properties of Materials

  • Forces and Motion

  • Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Problem-Solving Skills

Materials:

  • Pumpkin (large foam or inflatable)

  • Cardboard

  • Plastic containers

  • Straws

  • Wooden craft sticks (popsicle sticks)

  • Paper plates

  • Tape (masking, duct, or clear tape)

  • Glue (white or hot glue)

  • Rubber bands

  • Toy vehicle wheels (optional)

  • Bottle caps (optional)

  • Rulers

  • Small weights (like washers or bags of sand) (optional)

  • Markers

  • Crayons

  • Paint

  • Stickers

  • Safety scissors

  • Fabric scraps (optional)

  • String or yarn (optional)

  • Foam sheets (optional)

Prompts – questions or statements to elicit engagement:

  • What materials do you think will work best for your design? Why?

  • What do you think makes a structure strong enough to carry a pumpkin?

  • How can we make our device balanced? Can you show me what that looks like?

  • How can we work together to combine our ideas into one great design?

  • Can you explain your idea to your partner? How can they help improve it?

  • What challenges are you facing while building? How can we solve them together?

  • If your device isn't working, what could you change to make it better?

  • How will you measure the size of your pumpkin? What tools can you use?

  • Can you think of ways to ensure the pumpkin fits securely on your device?

  • Can you think of a time when you saw something being carried? How did they do it?

  • How do you think engineers design vehicles to carry heavy loads? What materials do they use?

  • When you present your device, what key points do you want to share with the class?

  • How will you demonstrate that your device can safely carry the pumpkin?

Vocabulary:

  • Structure, balance, design, weight, measurement, stability, forces, engineering, support, device, construction, plan, collaborate, secure, adjust

Reflection prompts:

  • What did you learn about balance and weight distribution as you built your device?

  • How do you feel about the challenges you faced today? What are you most proud of?

  • What was the most enjoyable part of building your device?

  • What did you find challenging during the building process?

  • What new skills or concepts did you learn while working on this project?

  • How did your group work together to create your device?

  • What role did you play in your team, and how did it contribute to your project?

  • What problems did you encounter while building your device, and how did you solve them?

  • Can you describe a moment when you had to rethink your design? What did you change?

  • How did you come up with your design ideas? What inspired you?

  • What unique features did you include in your device, and why?

  • If you could redesign your device, what changes would you make?

  • What materials would you like to use next time, and why?

  • How do you think this activity relates to real-world engineering and design?

  • Can you think of a real-life example where balance is important? How does it apply?

  • What are you most proud of in your final product?

  • How did this project help you understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration?

Extensions:

  • Design a Transportation Vehicle: Students can design and build a model vehicle (e.g., a truck or cart) that can transport their pumpkin over a specific distance or obstacle course.

  • Create a Pumpkin Art Project: Students can decorate their pumpkins using various art materials (paint, fabric, etc.) and present their designs, explaining their artistic choices.

  • Science Exploration: Conduct a science experiment to observe how different weights affect balance. Students can use small weights to test how their device holds up under varying loads.

  • Engineering Journal: Students can keep an engineering journal throughout the project, documenting their design process, challenges faced, and solutions found, culminating in a final reflection.

  • Guest Speaker: Invite a local engineer or designer to speak about their work. Students can prepare questions based on their experiences in the project.

  • Pumpkin Science: Explore the life cycle of a pumpkin, including planting seeds and observing growth. Students can start a small garden or plant seeds in pots.

  • Team Challenges: Organize relay races or challenges where students must transport their pumpkin using their device, encouraging teamwork and collaboration.

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