Single Pringle

Zoe Sharp and Mandy David

Grade Level: 5th Grade
NGSS Core Ideas:

Defining and Delimiting and Engineering Problem

Developing Possible Solutions

Science and Engineering Practices:

3-5-

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is

ETS1-2.

likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

3-5-

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria

ETS1-1.

for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

Day #1 Technology in a Bag, Pringle Challenge

Objective(s):

Students will understand the motivation behind the appeal and necessity of different packaging
techniques.

Students will practice packaging techniques in a small scale setting.

Materials:
Technology in a Bag

6 brown bags

6 objects: paper clip, spoon, post-it note, ziplock bag, pen, (and one more)

Pringle Challenge source: https://schools.smcps.org/gmhs/images/pdfs/pringle-packing-contest-2013.pdf

Pringles

Tape

3 Index Cards

Newspaper

3 popsicle sticks

2 straws

Cardboard

Cotton balls

Lesson Plan:
(5 minutes)
Introduce:

Mandy and Zoe introduce themselves.

Cal Poly students training to become teachers, etc.

Today we will be teaching about technology and engineering.

Explain protocol to grab students attention: 3 claps to the students, and 2 claps by students

back.

Hand out popsicle sticks to break up into 6 groups.

Assign a getter and a sharer.

Explain: Your getter will collect a brown bag, do not open the bag until youre
instructed to do so.

(10 minutes)
Engage:

Explain Technology in a bag to engage the students.

Discuss a few questions about your mystery object

What is the technology?

What does the technology do?

What is the need for your technology?

What other ways could you use your technology?

What other materials could it be made of?

Sharer will present the object to the class.

(5 minutes)
Explain: Teachers will write down the definition of technology for the students and then discuss what
engineers do and who can be an engineer.

What is a technology?

Anything human-made that is used to solve a problem or fulfill a need.

Now that we know what technology is, Who do you think would create a technology?

Explain that engineer creates technology based on a societal need.

Today, we are going to be engineers and we are going to solve a problem and fulfill a need.

(5 minutes)
Explore: Students will work in groups of 3 to participate in the Pringles Challenge.

Introduce Single Pringle:

The CEO of Pringles Company, John Bryant, wants to develop a package for selling
one single pringle.

John is good friends with the Cal Poly President, Jeffrey Armstrong. Our president
wants us to develop an idea with the 5th graders and if our models work he will discuss
them with the CEO to create this single pringle package.

Talk about the shape, size and fragileness of the pringle.

Rules: We will break up into groups of 4, each group will receive $25. You can use
the $25 to buy any products you would like that will be used to package the pringle.

The pringle must be able to withstand a series of tests for the Single
Pringle Challenge so it needs to be sturdy.

You will have 10 minutes to get with your group and plan exactly how you
will use your $25.

Pass out popsicle sticks to break up groups again.

Assign four positions: Getter, facilitator, writer, sharer

(10 minutes)
Start Planning:

Groups Getter will present a notecard that Writer created with the materials they would like,
total prices of each and final total budget used - this will allow them to have materials.

Materials will be passed out.

(20 minutes)
Build:

Single Pringle Challenge.

(5 minutes)
Elaborate:

Students will consider their packaging techniques and predict why or why not it will be
successful.

What do you think will make your package most successful?

Next week we will come back and we will determine which was the best.

Extra Ideas:

Do we want to do the tests with them or at home?

Drop off a balcony

Roll down stairs

Hit a wall
Find out what day next week will work for Ms. Edwards