Fidget Benefits: Designing Tools for Student Well-being
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as mental navigators, design, evaluate, and scale effective fidgets that support the mental wellness of school-aged children, ensuring they promote focus and reduce anxiety while being engaging and suitable for different age groups?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are manipulatives and fidgets, and how do they support mental health in children?
- How can fidgets be designed and scaled appropriately for different age groups, particularly for middle and elementary school students?
- In what ways do manipulatives and fidgets contribute to the mental wellness of school-aged children?
- How can students evaluate the effectiveness of different fidgets in promoting mental health?
- What considerations should be taken into account when designing fidgets to ensure they are engaging and beneficial for children?
- How can we measure the impact of fidgets on focus, anxiety, and overall mental health in children?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the definition and use of manipulatives and fidgets in supporting mental health in children.
- Assess the effectiveness of various fidgets in promoting mental health by conducting experiments and analyses.
- Design and scale fidgets for different age groups, ensuring they meet age-appropriate mental health needs.
- Communicate findings and designs clearly through research-backed presentations and reports.
- Apply social-emotional learning skills to identify mental health needs and create solutions that foster well-being among children.
Common Core Standards
NGSS
Social-Emotional Learning Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Mystery Box Challenge
Present a sealed, mysterious box containing an assortment of fidgets and manipulatives. Challenge students to infer their purpose and potential benefits solely based on observation and tactile exploration, sparking curiosity about the unseen mental health benefits locked within each item.Interactive Role-Play: Mental Navigator Adventure
Students participate in an interactive role-play as mental navigators, where they explore imagined scenarios where children use fidgets in real-time. They'll navigate through each scenario's challenges, observing how different fidgets impact emotional regulation, encouraging deep inquiry into their utility in schools.Fidget Design Hackathon
Launch the project with a fidget design hackathon where students brainstorm and prototype their own fidget designs. Provide different materials and encourage them to consider the needs of different age groups, fostering a hands-on approach to understanding and innovation in mental health tools.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Fidget Exploration Detective
Students will begin their journey by understanding the basic concept of fidgets and manipulatives. They will explore various types of fidgets, discovering how each type functions and its potential mental health benefits for children.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive summary document detailing various fidgets, their uses, and mental health benefits.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SEL.9-12.7.1 (Identifying and articulating emotions) and begins exploration of CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.8 (Evaluating sources on mental health benefits).Fidget Functionality Analysis
In this activity, students will dive into the technical aspects of fidgets, analyzing their design elements, materials used, and understanding why certain fidgets are effective for particular age groups or mental health needs.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical report on the effectiveness and design intricacies of different fidgets.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers NGSS.HS-ETS1-2 (Breaking down design problems) and further engages with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.8 (Evaluating evidence and claims).Scaled Fidget Design Challenge
Students will focus on designing their own fidgets. Using previously gained insights, they will create prototypes that address the mental health needs of different age groups, particularly middle and elementary school students.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityPhysical prototypes of fidget designs tailored for different age groups.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS.HS-ETS1-2 (Designing a solution to a real-world problem).Impact Evaluation Study
Conduct a study to evaluate the impact of the designed fidgets on focus, anxiety, and overall mental health in children. This activity involves collecting data from trials and analyzing it to draw meaningful conclusions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed evaluation report specifying the impact of different fidget designs on children’s mental health.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsIntegrates CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2 (Writing explanatory texts) with SEL.9-12.5.2 (Applying strategies for community well-being).Fidget Implementation Presentation
Create engaging presentations to showcase findings, designs, and data from previous activities, educating peers and stakeholders about the mental health benefits of fidgets.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA polished presentation that educates audiences on the impact of fidgets and shares designed solutions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCompletes activities with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.2 (Writing and conveying information) and reinforces SEL standards by demonstrating community well-being applications.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioFidget Design and Evaluation Rubric
Research and Understanding
Evaluation of students' ability to research and understand the mental health benefits of fidgets, including source evaluation and synthesis of information.Source Evaluation
Assessment of students' ability to evaluate the credibility and relevance of information regarding fidgets and mental health.
Exemplary
4 PointsThoroughly evaluates multiple sources, providing clear, insightful assessments of credibility and relevance; integrates this analysis seamlessly into their work.
Proficient
3 PointsEvaluates sources effectively, recognizing most relevant and credible information with clear integration into their findings.
Developing
2 PointsShows some ability to evaluate sources, but may inconsistently assess credibility and relevance, with partial integration into work.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to evaluate sources for credibility and relevance, providing limited analysis and integration.
Conceptual Understanding
Evaluation of students' understanding of how fidgets support mental health and their ability to articulate this in written and verbal formats.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates deep understanding of the mental health support offered by fidgets and articulates these insights clearly and convincingly in both written and verbal forms.
Proficient
3 PointsShows clear understanding of the mental health benefits of fidgets, effectively articulating ideas in written and verbal formats.
Developing
2 PointsShows basic understanding of fidget benefits with some communication clarity issues in written and verbal formats.
Beginning
1 PointsShows limited understanding and struggles to articulate ideas both in writing and orally.
Design and Innovation
Assessment of students' ability to design and innovate new fidgets that are effective and suitable for the mental health needs of children.Creativity and Design
Evaluation of students' creativity in designing fidgets that are innovative and appropriate for different age groups.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesigns highly innovative and well-thought-out fidgets that are perfectly suited to the needs of specific age groups, showing exceptional creativity.
Proficient
3 PointsDesigns creative and thoughtful fidgets that are appropriate for age-specific needs, with evident innovation.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging creativity in fidget design with some appropriateness to age-specific needs, though inconsistencies may exist.
Beginning
1 PointsDesigns show limited creativity and lack appropriateness for age-specific needs.
Prototyping and Engineering
Assessment of students' skills in building prototypes of their fidget designs and problem-solving during the engineering process.
Exemplary
4 PointsBuilds fully functional prototypes with innovative engineering solutions, demonstrating excellent problem-solving throughout the process.
Proficient
3 PointsBuilds functional prototypes, showing competent engineering and problem-solving skills.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to build prototypes with some functionality; displays basic problem-solving and engineering skills.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with prototyping and engineering, with frequent issues in functionality and problem-solving.
Analysis and Evaluation
Evaluation of students' ability to analyze data from fidget trials and evaluate the impact on children's mental health.Data Analysis
Assessment of students' skills in analyzing data collected from fidget trials to draw meaningful conclusions.
Exemplary
4 PointsAnalyzes data comprehensively with thoughtful interpretation, drawing insightful conclusions that are strongly backed by evidence.
Proficient
3 PointsAnalyzes data effectively, drawing logical conclusions supported by evidence.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to analyze data with some level of interpretation, but conclusions may lack strong evidence or logical connections.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to analyze data effectively, with conclusions that lack support and clarity.
Impact Evaluation
Assessment of students' ability to evaluate the impact of their designs on focus, anxiety, and overall mental health in children.
Exemplary
4 PointsEvaluates impact thoroughly with detailed, insightful analysis, leading to clear understanding of the designs’ effectiveness.
Proficient
3 PointsEvaluates impact with clear analysis, providing adequate understanding of the designs’ effectiveness.
Developing
2 PointsProvides limited impact evaluation with some analysis, requiring further development for clarity and effectiveness understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles with impact evaluation, showing limited analysis and unclear conclusions.
Presentation and Communication
Evaluation of students' ability to present their findings and designs clearly and effectively to an audience.Clarity and Organization
Assessment of how clearly and logically students present their findings and designs.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents information and designs clearly, logically, and engagingly, with excellent organization and flow of content.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents information clearly and logically, with good organization and reasonable engagement.
Developing
2 PointsAttempts to present information clearly, but organizational issues or lack of clarity may hinder effectiveness.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to present information clearly and logically, with poor organization and engagement.
Engagement and Delivery
Evaluation of students' engagement with their audience and delivery of their presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsEngages audience exceptionally, with enthusiastic, clear, and poised delivery, generating interest throughout.
Proficient
3 PointsEngages audience well with clear and competent delivery, maintaining interest.
Developing
2 PointsShows effort to engage audience, but may struggle with delivery and maintaining interest consistently.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to engage audience, with unclear delivery that fails to hold interest.