Science+lessons

This looks like a great place to paste science lessons.

Example Curriculum Map Worksheet Learnging the Engineering Design Process and Designing a sail to move sailboats in our encapsulated classroom experiment set up. Making predictions about what size and shape each student thinks will work best. Keeping record of each sail's success and analyzing why certain things work and why others did not. After using the Engineering Design Process to construct the most efficient sail possible, the class can look at the Gryphon to compare and contrast the shapes and proportions of it's particular sails. Students can discuss an predict why there are differences in the designs they found most efficient and the Gryphon's design.
 * Grade Level:** 5
 * Subject:** Science (Engineering and Technology)
 * Topic:** Designing the most Efficient Sail to capture Wind Energy
 * Essential Understanding:** The Engineering Design Process and using the process to design a sail
 * Standards Addressed:**
 * Key Activities/Skills:**
 * Connections:**
 * Other***
 * Students can pose particular follow- up questions to the captain that may help them further undertand how he uses the specific design of the Gryphon's sails

The teacher will set up a "track" made of two stretches of fishing line. Both lines must be at the exact same height at both ends. Tables or chairs can be used for the end points. A "raft" has to be made out of light material such as a strofoam tray. Straws should be attached to the bottom of the tray in such a manner that they will line up with the track perfectly. The straws are fed onto the track before one end of the track is secured down. A slit just slightly smaller than a popsicle stick should be made in the foam. The slit will be used for students to put their sails into. A fan is sat on one end of th track and used to test the design of each sail.

Students will be given a popsicle stick (to use for a mast), tape and different materials such as cellophane, wax paper, tissue paper or any other appropriate material to use to make sails with.

Students will record predictions on what shape,size and materials will work best for catching the wind's energy and transferring it into motion of the sailboat. Next students begin to build, test nd record their models. Students analyze findings with the whole class at the end.