Weatherproof Wizardry: Build Resilient Shelters
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as young engineers and designers, create innovative shelters that effectively withstand extreme weather while considering their impact on people's lives and the environment?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the different types of extreme weather and their impacts on the environment and human life?
- How can we design structures that can withstand extreme weather conditions?
- What materials are most effective in building weather-resistant shelters?
- How do architects and engineers collaborate to design solutions for weather-related challenges?
- Why is it important to consider both function and aesthetics when designing a shelter?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Identify and describe various types of extreme weather and their potential impacts on environment and human life.
- Apply scientific concepts to create a shelter design that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
- Evaluate and select appropriate materials for building weather-resistant shelters.
- Collaborate to design and present a shelter model integrating scientific and artistic considerations.
- Articulate and support claims about the effectiveness of their shelter design in written and oral formats.
Next Generation Science Standards
Common Core English Language Arts
National Core Arts Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsCommunity Weather Watch
Organize a Community Weather Watch where students become weather reporters, gathering data from the local environment over a week. This hands-on exploration helps students understand local weather patterns and their effects on structures, inspiring innovative ideas for creating resilient shelters. By handling real-world data and observing its impact, students can build a personal connection to the core goals of the project.Design Challenge: Build a Mini Shelter
Launch the project with a hands-on design challenge where students work in teams to create mini shelters using everyday materials. Challenge them to protect small items from simulated weather conditions such as water spray or air currents. This engaging activity not only captures attention but also aligns with the goal of understanding how to mitigate weather effects through design, providing an authentic connection to their personal experiences of weather.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Weather Pattern Investigators
Students act as meteorologists by researching different types of extreme weather, focusing on understanding their characteristics and impacts. This foundational activity sets the stage for designing effective shelters by providing crucial background knowledge.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 set of weather profiles that describe the characteristics and impacts of various types of extreme weather.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Identify and describe various types of extreme weather and their potential impacts on environment and human life.Material Masters Challenge
Students examine different materials to understand their properties and effectiveness in building weather-resistant structures. This activity helps students make informed decisions about materials for their shelter designs.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 chart comparing the efficacy of different materials in withstanding extreme weather conditions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Evaluate and select appropriate materials for building weather-resistant shelters.Shelter Design Studio
In this creative activity, students utilize their understanding of weather impacts and materials to collaboratively design shelters. Emphasizing artistic and functional aspects, they sketch and refine their ideas.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityDetailed design plans for a weather-resistant shelter, incorporating both functional and artistic elements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Collaborate to design and present a shelter model integrating scientific and artistic considerations.Shelter Show and Tell
In this presentation-focused activity, students exhibit their shelter designs, explaining their choices in materials and design features. They will articulate the scientific reasoning and aesthetic considerations behind their designs.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 presentation showcasing the shelter design, including visual aids and supported by scientific reasoning.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standards: Make a claim about the merit of a design solution (3-ESS3-1) and articulate and support claims about the effectiveness of their shelter design in written and oral formats (W.3.1).Reflective Engineers Log
After all activities, students reflect individually on their learning journey, documenting their experiences, challenges, and their thoughts about improving their designs. This activity encourages self-evaluation and deeper understanding of design thinking.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 reflective journal entry documenting the design process, challenges, and possible improvements.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Articulate and support claims about the effectiveness of their shelter design in written formats and create personally satisfying artwork (VA:Cr2.1.3a).Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioWeatherproof Design Portfolio Assessment
Understanding Extreme Weather
Assessment of students' knowledge of different types of extreme weather and their impacts.Weather Profile Completeness
Measures the thoroughness of weather profiles produced by students.
Exemplary
4 PointsProfiles are comprehensive, detailing characteristics and impacts for multiple weather types with insightful analysis.
Proficient
3 PointsProfiles are detailed and cover characteristics and impacts for multiple weather types adequately.
Developing
2 PointsProfiles cover basic characteristics and impacts for some weather types but lack depth.
Beginning
1 PointsProfiles are incomplete, covering few characteristics with minimal detail.
Presentation Clarity
Assesses students' ability to clearly present their findings on extreme weather.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is engaging, well-organized, and uses visuals effectively to communicate detailed findings.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear, organized, and uses visuals to communicate important information.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation includes basic organization and some visual elements but lacks clarity.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation is unclear, unorganized, and lacks effective visual elements.
Material Selection and Evaluation
Evaluation of students' understanding and selection of materials for shelter design.Material Testing and Analysis
Quality and depth of material testing and analysis conducted by students.
Exemplary
4 PointsComprehensive tests are conducted and analyzed critically, showing thorough understanding of material properties.
Proficient
3 PointsTests are conducted with clear analysis, showing good understanding of material properties.
Developing
2 PointsTests are basic with partial analysis, showing some understanding of material properties.
Beginning
1 PointsTests are incomplete with minimal analysis or understanding of materials.
Material Selection Justification
Assessment of how well students justify their material choices for their designs.
Exemplary
4 PointsJustifications are detailed, logical, and well-supported by test results and scientific principles.
Proficient
3 PointsJustifications are logical and supported by test results and scientific principles.
Developing
2 PointsJustifications lack depth and are somewhat supported by test results.
Beginning
1 PointsJustifications are minimal and not supported by solid evidence.
Design Integration and Creativity
Assessment of how well students integrate functional and artistic elements in their shelter designs.Design Innovation
The originality and innovation in students' shelter designs.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesign shows high creativity, integrating innovative functional and artistic elements seamlessly.
Proficient
3 PointsDesign is creative and integrates functional and artistic elements well.
Developing
2 PointsDesign shows some creativity but lacks balance between functional and artistic elements.
Beginning
1 PointsDesign shows limited creativity, with poor integration of elements.
Peer Feedback Incorporation
How effectively students incorporate peer feedback into improving their designs.
Exemplary
4 PointsFeedback is integrated thoughtfully, resulting in significant design improvement.
Proficient
3 PointsFeedback is considered and leads to clear design improvements.
Developing
2 PointsSome feedback is considered with minor design adjustments.
Beginning
1 PointsFeedback is minimally considered or integrated into the design.
Communication and Reflection
Evaluation of students' communication and reflection skills regarding their design process.Presentation and Explanation Skills
Ability to effectively communicate the design process and justification in presentations.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is highly engaging and persuasive, with strong reasoning and visuals that enhance understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear and logical, with good reasoning and supporting visuals.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation is basic with some reasoning and minimal use of supporting visuals.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation lacks clarity and reasoning with limited visual support.
Reflective Journal Quality
Quality and depth of reflection shown in students' journals.
Exemplary
4 PointsReflection is insightful and thorough, providing a deep evaluation of the design process and personal growth.
Proficient
3 PointsReflection is clear and evaluates the design process and personal growth well.
Developing
2 PointsReflection is basic with limited evaluation of the design process.
Beginning
1 PointsReflection is minimal and lacks depth in evaluation.