Name of Project: Project Pumpkin Duration: 10/9-10/31

Teacher(s) : Elizondo, Enriquez, Flores, Gauthier, Harrington, Wepasnick

Subjects Integrated: Project Summary: First grade students will work together in groups of 4
 ELAR Other: to collaborate, plan, design, and build a mini-pumpkin catapult to be used
 Math as a station during STEM night at Travis.
 Science
 Social Studies

Driving Question: How do we as scientists develop a catapult to launch mini-pumpkins at Travis STEM Night?

TEKs:

ELAR Science Math SS

1.2A 1.1 A-C 1.6 1.3C

1.5 1.2 A-E 1.7 1.4B
1.6 1.3 A,B 1.8 1.19
1.7 1.4A
1.11 1.6 C,D
1.13
Entry Event(s): TTW walk into the classroom with mini marshmallows and rubber bands. Without saying anything, TTW start shooting the
marshmallows around the room. When the kids are excited and asking what is going on, TTW lead students in a discussion about what it was that
caused the marshmallows to move. Discuss with students how the amount of force applied affects the distance traveled by the marshmallows. Pose
the questions of what would happen if we tried a different object (heavier, lighter)? What other materials could be used to send it farther?

-Brainstorm a materials list Presentation

- STEM Journal describing the design process Audience
-Procedure writing
Individual: Class: X
-Recording sheet for final product
-Reflection writing piece at end School: X
Culminating
Products and Community: X
Performances: -Choose an Ambassador that will answer questions regarding design
-Design sketch Expert:
-What problems could arise (writing)
Group: -Recording sheet for each trial Web: X
-Pumpkin Catapult
Other:

Formative (during unit):

Journal checks, recording sheets, reflective piece
Assessments:
Summative (end of unit):
Group product, reflection writing piece, product presentation

On-site people, facilities: Admin to come by and view designs and final products.
Equipment:
Resources Needed
Materials: Student generated material list
Community Resources: Invite community engineers and scientists into classrooms for advise and
tips for building and planning.
 Project Calendar Week of ___10/9-10/13_________________
ELAR: Math: Science: Social Studies:
-Read aloud “Rosie Revere, Engineer” -TTW introduce the term STEM to students. -Read aloud will provide character
(does not need to be read all in one day) TTW break down each part of the acronym. building lesson opportunities on
Monday

-Vocab: engineer, test, flop, level, switch, perseverance, discouragement, etc.

gear, gizmos, inventions, perplexed, -Read aloud will also touch on
dismays. Rosie the Riveter as a cultural icon
-ELA skills: rhyme, nouns and verbs, of World War II.
main idea, predict

ELAR: Math: Science: Social Studies:

-Continue read aloud “Rosie Revere, -TTW discuss distance and how -TTW show students a video of a catapult being -Continue to review/discuss social
Engineer” that can be measured. used and then have a discussion of how the given skills through read aloud
Tuesday

-Focus on rhyme can play I Spy object was moved, covered distance, force used.
-make predictions on what will happen http://pbskids.org/designsquad/video/build-
next catapult/

ELAR: Math: Science: Social Studies:

-Continue read aloud “Rosie Revere,
Wednesday

-TSW review the catapult video from yesterday.

Engineer” What materials were used? What can we gather
-Focus on nouns by playing I Spy or reuse to create our own versions?
-TSW brainstorm a materials list.

ELAR: Math: Science: Social Studies:

-Review read aloud “Rosie Revere, -TTW help guide students to group up. 4 students -Discuss being a good citizen and
Thursday

Engineer” per group. how to be a contributing and

-Discuss verbs as action words respectful member of the group.

ELAR: Math: Science: Social Studies:

-Re-read “Rosie Revere, Engineer” -TSW meet as a group and review material
Friday

-Review skills brainstorms and finalize a group list.