Created byElizabeth Root

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Water Filtration Survivor Challenge

Grade 4Science5 days

The 'Water Filtration Survivor Challenge' is a project-based learning experience for 4th-grade students that focuses on designing and constructing a water filtration system. The project is driven by a scenario where students receive a mysterious brown liquid and are challenged to purify it, fostering collaborative problem-solving. Through this challenge, students explore scientific principles of filtration, consider constraints like materials and cost, and engage in iterative testing and improvement to achieve successful water purification. The project aligns with NGSS standards by emphasizing the design process, critical evaluation, and refinement of prototypes.

Water FiltrationDesign ChallengeScientific PrinciplesConstraintsIterative TestingProblem-Solving4th Grade

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we collaboratively design and construct a water filtration system that effectively purifies dirty water, evaluating and improving our models using scientific principles while considering constraints like materials, time, and cost?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the essential components needed to create a simple water filtration system?
How can we evaluate the effectiveness of different water filtration designs?
What scientific principles are involved in the filtration and purification of water?
How do constraints such as materials, time, and cost affect the design and functionality of a water filtration system?
In what ways can we test and improve our water filtration models to ensure maximum effectiveness?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will understand the essential components required to design a simple water filtration system.
Students will learn to evaluate the effectiveness of different water filtration designs using scientific principles.
Students will explore and apply scientific principles in the filtration and purification of water.
Students will analyze the impact of constraints such as materials, time, and cost on the design and functionality of water filtration systems.
Students will develop skills to test and improve their water filtration models to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Next Generation Science Standards

3-5-ETS1-1

Primary

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.Reason: The project involves defining the problem of water purification with specific criteria and constraints.

3-5-ETS1-2

Primary

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.Reason: Students will generate multiple designs for water filters, evaluating effectiveness based on given criteria and constraints.

3-5-ETS1-3

Primary

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.Reason: The project requires students to test their water filters, control variables, and identify improvement opportunities.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Liquid Arrival

Imagine the scene: a mysterious brown liquid is delivered to the classroom with an urgent message claiming it's from a nearby swamp. Students open the package to reveal murky water and a challenge: 'Can you purify this swamp water for safe drinking?' This prompts immediate investigation and brainstorming about possible filtration systems, entwining curiosity with real-world urgency.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Design Dilemma Detectives

In this activity, students will define the problem of purifying dirty water and identify the specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. They will use these details to shape their approach to the challenge, effectively acting as detectives to define the design problem.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduce students to the mysterious brown liquid and the challenge to purify it for safe drinking.

2. Discuss and list the criteria for successful water purification, such as clarity, taste, and safety.

3. Identify constraints related to materials (e.g., only certain materials available to use), time (e.g., project completion within a week), and cost (e.g., budget limits).

4. Encourage students to frame the design problem in their own words, emphasizing the purpose and requirements.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-defined design problem statement that includes criteria for success and constraints.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standards3–5-ETS1-1 (Define a simple design problem with clear criteria and constraints).

Activity 2

Solution Showcase

Students will brainstorm and generate multiple possible solutions for a water filtration design. They will compare the proposed designs based on the likelihood of meeting the criteria and constraints established previously.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Facilitate brainstorming sessions where students list possible materials and designs for the filtration system.

2. Have students sketch different designs, focusing on varied approaches for filtering the dirty water.

3. Guide students in evaluating each design against the success criteria and constraints identified in the previous activity.

4. Encourage students to weigh the pros and cons of each design, fostering critical thinking.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA portfolio of potential water filtration designs, each evaluated for effectiveness against criteria and constraints.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standards3–5-ETS1-2 (Generate and compare multiple solutions based on criteria and constraints).

Activity 3

Testing Troubleshooters

In this activity, students will plan and execute fair tests of their water filters, ensuring control of variables. They will identify failure points in their prototypes and determine how to improve their designs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Instruct students to select materials and construct their chosen water filtration design.

2. Design a fair testing procedure to compare the efficiency of each prototype, controlling for variables (e.g., amount of water, type of dirty water).

3. Conduct tests, recording observations on water clarity and sediment after filtering.

4. Analyze results to identify patterns or issues, noting any design flaws or areas for improvement.

5. Discuss improvements and adjustments to make the filtration system more effective.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA tested and refined water filtration system, with documented observations and identified improvement areas.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standards3–5-ETS1-3 (Plan and carry out fair tests with controlled variables to improve a model).

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Water Filtration Design Challenge Rubric

Category 1

Problem Definition

Assesses the student's ability to clearly define the water filtration problem with specific criteria and constraints for successful purification.

Criterion 1

Criteria Identification

Evaluates the student's ability to identify and articulate criteria for success of the water filtration project.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoroughly identifies clear, detailed, and realistic criteria for water filtration success, showing a deep understanding of project requirements.

Proficient

3 Points

Identifies clear and realistic criteria for water filtration success, understanding the basic requirements of the project.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some criteria for water filtration success but with gaps or inconsistencies in understanding.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify relevant criteria for water filtration success, showing minimal understanding of project requirements.

Criterion 2

Constraints Recognition

Evaluates the student's recognition of project constraints related to materials, time, and cost.

Exemplary

4 Points

Accurately identifies and explains constraints with insight into their impact on the project design and outcome.

Proficient

3 Points

Identifies constraints with an understanding of their basic impact on the project.

Developing

2 Points

Identifies some constraints but lacks depth in understanding their role in the project.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to identify constraints, showing little understanding of their importance in the project.

Category 2

Solution Generation

Assesses the student's ability to generate and evaluate multiple water filtration designs against established criteria and constraints.

Criterion 1

Design Creativity

Measures the creativity and variety in generating possible water filtration systems.

Exemplary

4 Points

Proposes multiple innovative and diverse designs, each clearly thought out and feasible within constraints.

Proficient

3 Points

Proposes multiple solid designs that are feasible and adhere to constraints.

Developing

2 Points

Generates some design ideas, but with limitations in creativity or feasibility.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to generate design ideas with minimal variability or feasibility consideration.

Criterion 2

Evaluation and Selection

Assesses the ability to critically evaluate and select appropriate designs based on effectiveness and constraints.

Exemplary

4 Points

Thoughtfully evaluates designs with comprehensive analysis, selecting optimal solutions based on detailed criteria and constraint considerations.

Proficient

3 Points

Effectively evaluates and selects designs based on established criteria and constraints.

Developing

2 Points

Evaluates designs but with superficial analysis; selections may not fully align with criteria or constraints.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to evaluate or select appropriate designs, showing minimal understanding of evaluation criteria.

Category 3

Testing and Refinement

Assesses the student's ability to test and improve their water filtration system through iterative design processes.

Criterion 1

Testing and Data Analysis

Evaluates the planning and execution of fair tests, as well as the analysis of results.

Exemplary

4 Points

Conducts systematic and comprehensive tests, meticulously analyzing data to identify precise areas for improvement.

Proficient

3 Points

Conducts appropriate tests and effectively analyzes data to identify improvement areas.

Developing

2 Points

Conducts tests with guidance but struggles with thorough data analysis or identifying improvements.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to conduct relevant tests or analyze data, needing support to understand test results.

Criterion 2

Iterative Improvement

Assesses the application of feedback and observations to refine and improve the water filtration model.

Exemplary

4 Points

Effectively applies observations and feedback to make significant improvements, demonstrating iterative thinking and problem-solving excellence.

Proficient

3 Points

Applies feedback to make reasonable improvements, showing understanding of iterative processes.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to use feedback for improvements, with varying success and minimal refining.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to apply feedback or make meaningful improvements, showing limited understanding of iterative design.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on the Water Filtration Survivor Challenge. What were the most significant challenges you faced when designing and constructing your water filter?

Text

Required

Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how effectively did you and your team collaborate to design and test your water filtration system?

Scale

Required

Question 3

What scientific principles did you apply in your water filtration design, and how did they impact the effectiveness of your prototype?

Text

Required

Question 4

Which material or design choice had the greatest impact on your water filter's performance?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Activated Charcoal

Sand

Gravel

Cotton

Layering Technique

Question 5

Consider the constraints of materials, time, and cost. How did these factors affect your final water filtration design? Would you change anything if these constraints were different?

Text

Optional