lenny

Seasons Collide

user image

Lesson Plan

Season-Adaptive Home STEM Plan

Students will design and prototype a climate-controlled model home that effectively adapts to seasonal changes, demonstrating an understanding of how engineering principles can address environmental factors.

Understanding how to design for different climates is essential for sustainable living and resource management. This project helps students apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering innovation and teamwork.

Audience

7th Grade Group

Time

70 minutes

Approach

Hands-on design, construction, and critical reflection in small groups.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Seasons & Design Criteria, Climate Constraints Brainstorm, Assorted recyclable materials (cardboard, plastic bottles, fabric scraps, aluminum foil), Craft supplies (glue, tape, scissors, rulers, markers), Model Home Construction Kit, Design Reflection Log, Group Design Critique, and Engineering Project Rubric

Prep

Teacher Preparation

20 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Climate Constraints Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Begin with the Climate Constraints Brainstorm warm-up.
    - Project the prompt and have students work in their small groups to list challenges homes face in different seasons.
    - Facilitate a brief whole-class share-out of ideas, connecting to prior knowledge about seasons and weather.

Step 2

Introduction: Seasons & Design Criteria

15 minutes

  • Present the Seasons & Design Criteria slide deck.
    - Go through each slide, explaining the STEM challenge and the specific design criteria for their climate-controlled model homes.
    - Emphasize the importance of adapting to all four seasons and efficient resource use.
    - Introduce the Engineering Project Rubric and review expectations.

Step 3

Activity: Model Home Construction Kit

30 minutes

  • Distribute the Model Home Construction Kit materials and instructions to each group.
    - Instruct students to begin designing and constructing their model homes, keeping the seasonal adaptation and design criteria in mind.
    - Circulate among groups, providing guidance, asking probing questions, and encouraging collaboration.
    - Remind students to document their design process in their Design Reflection Log.

Step 4

Cool-Down: Design Reflection Log & Group Design Critique

15 minutes

  • Have students complete the 'Initial Design Notes' and 'Challenges Faced' sections of their Design Reflection Log.
    - Transition to the Group Design Critique. Groups will briefly present their initial designs and discuss potential improvements based on the criteria.
    - Facilitate a quick whole-class wrap-up, asking groups to share one key takeaway or a challenge they encountered.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Seasons Collide: Designing for All Year Round!

Ever wonder how houses stay comfy all year?
We're talking hot summers, chilly winters, and everything in between!

Welcome students and introduce the overarching theme of seasons and design. Ask a quick question to get them thinking, like 'What's your favorite season and why?'

The Challenge: Season-Adaptive Homes

Your Mission:

  • Design a model home that adapts to all four seasons!
  • Keep it cozy in winter.
  • Keep it cool in summer.
  • Handle spring showers and autumn breezes.
  • Think smart, be creative!

Explain that different seasons bring different challenges. Ask students to share examples of how weather impacts homes in each season.

What Does "Climate-Controlled" Mean?

It means your house can manage:

  • Temperature: Not too hot, not too cold!
  • Airflow: Fresh air in, stale air out.
  • Moisture: Keeping dry in rain, preventing condensation.

Why is this important? To stay comfortable and save energy!

Introduce the concept of 'climate-controlled' and what that means for a house. Discuss insulation, heating, and cooling briefly.

Your Design Criteria

Every great design has rules!

  • Insulation: How will you keep heat in (winter) and out (summer)?
  • Ventilation: How will fresh air move through your home?
  • Solar Energy: Can you use the sun to your advantage?
  • Water Management: How will your roof/design handle rain and snow?
  • Materials: What materials will you use and why?
  • Sustainability: Think about being eco-friendly!

Go over the specific design criteria. Emphasize that these are the 'rules' they need to follow and think about as they build.

Building Your Model Home

Get Ready to Build!

  • You'll use a variety of provided materials.
  • Think about shape, orientation, and features.
  • Remember to work as a team!
  • Document your ideas and progress in your Design Reflection Log.

Explain the materials available in the Model Home Construction Kit and encourage them to think outside the box. Show examples if possible.

How You'll Be Graded

Your project will be evaluated based on the Engineering Project Rubric.

  • Design Creativity: How innovative are your ideas?
  • Adaptability: How well does your home adapt to all seasons?
  • Engineering Principles: Did you apply what we discussed?
  • Collaboration: How well did your group work together?
  • Reflection: Did you thoughtfully complete your Design Reflection Log?

Introduce the Engineering Project Rubric as their guide for success. Briefly explain how they will be assessed.

Let's Get Building!

Time to make your ideas a reality!

  • Brainstorm with your team.
  • Sketch your designs.
  • Start building!
  • Don't forget to ask questions if you get stuck.

End with an exciting prompt to get them started and encourage them to ask questions.

lenny

Warm Up

Climate Constraints Brainstorm

Think about what challenges a home faces in each season. In your groups, brainstorm and list as many as you can for each season.

Winter Challenges:







Spring Challenges:







Summer Challenges:







Autumn Challenges:







lenny
lenny

Activity

Model Home Construction Kit: Build Your Season-Adaptive Home!

Your Challenge: Design and construct a model home that can effectively adapt to all four seasons. Think about how your home will stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and protected in spring and autumn. Use the materials provided to bring your innovative ideas to life!

Materials Provided:

  • Structural Materials:

    • Cardboard pieces (various sizes)
    • Empty plastic bottles/containers
    • Popsicle sticks
    • Paper tubes

  • Insulation & Covering Materials:

    • Fabric scraps
    • Cotton balls
    • Aluminum foil
    • Plastic wrap
    • Wax paper

  • Assembly & Tools:

    • Glue sticks and liquid glue
    • Tape (masking, clear)
    • Scissors
    • Rulers
    • Markers and colored pencils

Instructions:

  1. Brainstorm & Sketch: As a group, discuss different design ideas. How will your home handle snow, sun, wind, and rain? Sketch out a few initial designs in your Design Reflection Log.

  2. Plan Your Seasons: For each season, consider specific features your home will need. For example:

    • Winter: How will you keep heat in? (e.g., thick walls, small windows, good insulation)
    • Summer: How will you keep cool? (e.g., shading, cross-ventilation, light-colored roof)
    • Spring/Autumn: How will you manage rain, wind, and fluctuating temperatures? (e.g., sloped roof, windbreaks, adaptable openings)

  3. Construct Your Model: Begin building your model home using the provided materials. Don't be afraid to experiment! If something doesn't work, try a different approach.

  4. Label Features: As you build, clearly label (or draw and explain in your Design Reflection Log) the features you include and how they help your home adapt to different seasons.

  5. Document Your Process: Continuously update your Design Reflection Log with your decisions, challenges, and solutions.

Remember to refer to the Seasons & Design Criteria and the Engineering Project Rubric as you work!

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Design Reflection Log: My Season-Adaptive Home

Group Members:

Part 1: Initial Design Notes

  1. Our Initial Idea: Describe your group's first ideas for a season-adaptive home. What features did you want to include?





  2. Sketch Your Initial Design: Draw a sketch of your group's initial model home design. Label key features you plan to include to adapt to different seasons.
























Part 2: Construction and Adaptation

  1. Materials Used & Why: List the main materials your group used for your model home and explain why you chose them for seasonal adaptation.

    • Material 1:
      Reason:

    • Material 2:
      Reason:

    • Material 3:
      Reason:

  2. Winter Adaptation: How does your home keep warm in winter? Describe at least two specific features.




  3. Summer Adaptation: How does your home stay cool in summer? Describe at least two specific features.




  4. Spring/Autumn Adaptation: How does your home handle rain, wind, or fluctuating temperatures in spring and autumn? Describe at least two specific features.




  5. Challenges Faced: What were some challenges or problems your group encountered during the design and construction process?




  6. Solutions or Changes: How did your group overcome these challenges, or what changes did you make to your original design?




Part 3: Group Design Critique Reflection

  1. Feedback Received: During the Group Design Critique, what was one piece of positive feedback your group received?


  2. Suggestions for Improvement: What was one suggestion for improvement your group received, or what is one thing you would change if you had more time?




lenny
lenny

Discussion

Group Design Critique: Share Your Season-Adaptive Homes!

This is your chance to share your innovative model home designs with your classmates and get constructive feedback. Listen carefully to others, and be prepared to offer thoughtful suggestions.

Instructions:

  1. Group Presentations (5 minutes per group):

    • Each group will briefly present their model home. Explain:
      • Your main design concept.
      • At least one feature for winter adaptation.
      • At least one feature for summer adaptation.
      • One challenge you faced and how you addressed it.
    • Refer to your Design Reflection Log as you present.

  2. Peer Feedback (2-3 minutes per group):

    • After each presentation, other groups will offer constructive feedback.
    • Positive Feedback: What did you like about the design? What was innovative or well-executed?
    • Suggestions for Improvement: What questions do you have? Are there any ideas for how the design could be even more effective for a particular season or challenge?
    • Remember: Feedback should be specific, helpful, and respectful.

Discussion Prompts for Feedback:

lenny
lenny

Rubric

Engineering Project Rubric: Season-Adaptive Home

Group Members:

Criteria4 - Exceeds Expectations3 - Meets Expectations2 - Developing1 - Needs ImprovementScore
Design CreativityModel demonstrates highly innovative and original features for seasonal adaptation.Model demonstrates creative features for seasonal adaptation.Model demonstrates some basic features for seasonal adaptation.Model lacks creative features or shows little attempt at seasonal adaptation.
Seasonal AdaptabilityHome design effectively addresses challenges of all four seasons with multiple, clear features.Home design addresses challenges of most seasons with clear features.Home design addresses challenges of some seasons with limited features.Home design shows minimal consideration for seasonal challenges.
Application of Engineering PrinciplesClearly applies multiple engineering principles (insulation, ventilation, solar) with detailed justification.Applies relevant engineering principles with clear explanations.Attempts to apply some engineering principles, but explanations are vague.Shows minimal understanding or application of engineering principles.
Collaboration & TeamworkAll group members actively contributed, collaborated effectively, and shared responsibilities.Most group members contributed and collaborated effectively.Some group members participated, but collaboration was inconsistent.Little to no collaboration; tasks were not shared.
Design Reflection LogDesign Reflection Log is complete, insightful, and demonstrates deep reflection.Design Reflection Log is mostly complete and thoughtful.Design Reflection Log is partially complete with some reflection.Design Reflection Log is incomplete or lacks reflection.
lenny
lenny