Hawaii Challenge: Engineering Solutions for Our Island Home
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as informed environmental designers, create sustainable solutions for Hawaii's pressing environmental challenges, considering the islands' unique ecosystem, mathematical models, and effective communication strategies, while adhering to specific criteria and constraints?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we use our understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems to design solutions for local environmental problems?
- How can we use mathematical skills to model and understand environmental challenges in Hawaii?
- How can we communicate effectively about environmental issues and proposed solutions in Hawaii?
- How do the unique characteristics of Hawaii's environment influence the design of solutions to local problems?
- What are the criteria and constraints we need to consider when designing solutions to environmental problems in Hawaii?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to define environmental problems in Hawaii, specifying criteria for success and constraints.
- Students will generate and compare multiple solutions to environmental problems, based on criteria and constraints.
- Students will plan and conduct tests to identify improvements for environmental solutions.
- Students will integrate science, math, and ELA skills to create sustainable solutions.
- Students will apply their understanding of Hawaiian ecosystems to design solutions for local environmental problems.
- Students will use mathematical skills to model and understand environmental challenges in Hawaii.
- Students will communicate effectively about environmental issues and proposed solutions in Hawaii.
- Students will understand how the unique characteristics of Hawaii's environment influence the design of solutions to local problems.
- Students will consider the criteria and constraints when designing solutions to environmental problems in Hawaii.
- Students will create a one week lesson plan integrating science, math, and ELA focused on solving a problem in Hawaii, for a specific grade level.
- Students will be able to apply environmental design principles to address real-world problems in Hawaii
Next Generation Science Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsDisaster in Disguise
A mysterious package arrives containing items damaged by a simulated volcanic eruption or tsunami. Students must use provided clues and scientific principles to deduce the cause of the damage and propose solutions to mitigate future disasters, sparking inquiry into Hawaiian geography, geology, and engineering design.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Erosion Enigma: Defining the Challenge
Students will identify and define the problem of coastal erosion in a specific location in Hawaii. They will research the causes and effects of erosion, then define criteria for a successful erosion control solution (e.g., cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, durability) and constraints (e.g., budget, available materials, time).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 problem definition statement that includes the identified problem, criteria for success, and constraints.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses 3-5-ETS1-1 by requiring students to define the problem of coastal erosion, set criteria for a successful solution, and identify constraints related to materials and cost.Testing Triumph: Evaluating and Refining Solutions
Students will select one of the proposed solutions from Activity 2 and plan a test to evaluate its effectiveness. They will identify variables to control, conduct the test, observe and record the results, and analyze potential failure points. Based on the test results, they will improve their design and write a persuasive proposal to convince stakeholders to adopt their solution.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 test plan, results, improved design, and persuasive proposal.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses 3-5-ETS1-3 by requiring students to plan and conduct tests on their proposed solutions, control variables, and consider failure points to improve their designs. It also incorporates ELA by having students write a persuasive proposal.Solution Showdown: Generating and Comparing Ideas
Students will brainstorm and generate multiple possible solutions to the coastal erosion problem defined in Activity 1. They will create sketches or models of their proposed solutions, estimate the cost of each solution using mathematical skills, and compare the solutions based on how well they meet the criteria for success and constraints identified earlier.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 portfolio of potential solutions with sketches/models, cost estimates, and a comparison matrix.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsCovers 3-5-ETS1-2 by having students generate multiple solutions to the defined erosion problem and compare them based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints. It also integrates math by estimating the cost of each solution.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioEnvironmental Design Challenge Rubric
Problem Definition & Research
This category assesses the clarity and comprehensiveness of the problem definition and the quality of research conducted on coastal erosion.Problem Definition Clarity
The problem definition clearly states the environmental challenge, success criteria, and limitations.
Beginning
1 PointsThe problem definition is unclear, missing key elements, or does not align with the environmental challenge.
Developing
2 PointsThe problem definition identifies the environmental challenge but lacks specific criteria or constraints.
Proficient
3 PointsThe problem definition clearly states the environmental challenge, criteria for success, and relevant constraints.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe problem definition is exceptionally clear, thoroughly addresses the environmental challenge, and provides innovative criteria and constraints.
Research Quality
The research demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of coastal erosion in the chosen location.
Beginning
1 PointsResearch is minimal, lacks focus, and does not provide relevant information about coastal erosion.
Developing
2 PointsResearch shows some understanding of coastal erosion but lacks depth and specific details.
Proficient
3 PointsResearch demonstrates a solid understanding of coastal erosion, including causes and effects in the chosen location.
Exemplary
4 PointsResearch is extensive, insightful, and demonstrates a deep understanding of coastal erosion and its complexities.
Solution Generation & Comparison
This category evaluates the creativity and relevance of proposed solutions, the quality of sketches and models, the accuracy of cost estimates, and the effectiveness of the comparison matrix.Solution Creativity & Relevance
The solutions are creative, varied, and address the defined problem effectively.
Beginning
1 PointsSolutions are not creative, poorly developed, and do not address the problem effectively.
Developing
2 PointsSolutions show some creativity but are not well-developed or fully address the problem.
Proficient
3 PointsSolutions are creative, well-developed, and address the problem effectively.
Exemplary
4 PointsSolutions are exceptionally creative, innovative, and provide unique approaches to address the problem effectively.
Sketch/Model Quality
Sketches and models are detailed, accurate, and effectively represent the proposed solutions.
Beginning
1 PointsSketches and models are incomplete, lack detail, and do not accurately represent the solutions.
Developing
2 PointsSketches and models have some detail but lack accuracy or completeness.
Proficient
3 PointsSketches and models are detailed, accurate, and effectively represent the proposed solutions.
Exemplary
4 PointsSketches and models are exceptionally detailed, visually appealing, and provide a comprehensive representation of the solutions.
Cost Estimate Accuracy
Cost estimates are accurate, realistic, and consider all relevant factors.
Beginning
1 PointsCost estimates are inaccurate, unrealistic, and do not consider relevant factors.
Developing
2 PointsCost estimates have some accuracy but lack realism or consideration of all factors.
Proficient
3 PointsCost estimates are accurate, realistic, and consider all relevant factors.
Exemplary
4 PointsCost estimates are highly accurate, thoroughly realistic, and account for all possible factors.
Comparison Matrix Effectiveness
The comparison matrix is comprehensive, well-organized, and effectively compares the solutions based on criteria and constraints.
Beginning
1 PointsThe comparison matrix is incomplete, disorganized, and does not effectively compare the solutions.
Developing
2 PointsThe comparison matrix has some organization but lacks comprehensiveness or effective comparison of solutions.
Proficient
3 PointsThe comparison matrix is comprehensive, well-organized, and effectively compares the solutions based on criteria and constraints.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe comparison matrix is exceptionally comprehensive, insightful, and provides a detailed comparison of the solutions with clear justifications.
Testing & Refinement
This category assesses the design of the test plan, the accuracy and analysis of the results, the effectiveness of the design improvement, and the persuasiveness of the proposal.Test Plan Design
The test plan is well-designed, clearly identifies variables, and provides a logical method for evaluating the solution's effectiveness.
Beginning
1 PointsThe test plan is poorly designed, lacks clear variables, and does not provide a logical evaluation method.
Developing
2 PointsThe test plan identifies some variables but lacks a clear method for evaluating the solution.
Proficient
3 PointsThe test plan is well-designed, clearly identifies variables, and provides a logical method for evaluating the solution's effectiveness.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe test plan is exceptionally well-designed, identifies all relevant variables, and provides a sophisticated method for evaluating the solution's effectiveness.
Results & Analysis
The results are accurately recorded, clearly presented, and analyzed effectively to identify failure points.
Beginning
1 PointsThe results are poorly recorded, unclear, and not analyzed effectively.
Developing
2 PointsThe results are partially recorded and analyzed but lack clarity or depth.
Proficient
3 PointsThe results are accurately recorded, clearly presented, and analyzed effectively to identify failure points.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe results are meticulously recorded, presented with insightful analysis, and thoroughly identify potential failure points.
Design Improvement
The design improvement demonstrates a clear understanding of the test results and effectively addresses the identified failure points.
Beginning
1 PointsThe design improvement is minimal and does not address the identified failure points.
Developing
2 PointsThe design improvement shows some understanding of the test results but only partially addresses the failure points.
Proficient
3 PointsThe design improvement demonstrates a clear understanding of the test results and effectively addresses the identified failure points.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe design improvement is innovative, thoroughly addresses the failure points, and significantly enhances the solution's effectiveness.
Persuasive Proposal
The persuasive proposal is well-written, logical, and effectively convinces stakeholders to adopt the solution.
Beginning
1 PointsThe persuasive proposal is poorly written, lacks logic, and fails to convince stakeholders.
Developing
2 PointsThe persuasive proposal has some logic but lacks persuasiveness or clarity.
Proficient
3 PointsThe persuasive proposal is well-written, logical, and effectively convinces stakeholders to adopt the solution.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe persuasive proposal is exceptionally well-written, compelling, and convincingly argues for the solution's adoption with strong evidence.