THIS IS A REMIX FROM THE INNOVATION 101 PILOT PROGRAM FROM THE HENRY FORD.
This Lesson will examine the definition of Soil using written and video references. The lesson will also demonstrate how to identify different soil types by examining the texture of different soil samples. The lab portion will allow students to collect, evaluate and determine soil texture and type using the hands-on ribbon method. The lesson is meant to be conducted over a period of two to three days depending on class period length.
Students are introduced to two real-life problems that can be solved by using the engineering design process. For the first one, they follow along with a slide presentation that describes how a group of students built an organizer to help organize their teacher’s desk. The presentation introduces students to the key steps in the engineering design process. Next, in discussion groups, they read through a scenario in which middle school student Marisol struggles to keep her locker organized. They read the case study together, stopping and discussing at key points to share ideas and consider Marisol’s progress as she moves through the engineering design cycle to design and implement a solution. As an optional hands-on activity extension, students construct their own locker organizer using scrap materials. This introduction to the engineering design process sets up students to be able to conduct their own real-world design projects. A case study handout, group leader discussion sheet and slide presentation are provided.