Wade Institute for Science Education

Engineering Design Challenge: Animal Adaptations and Bioengineering

This challenge will engage students in grades 5-8 in a unique experience that integrates science and engineering concepts in a series of inquiry-based investigations that lead up to a student-driven Challenge. Students will be divided into small teams and presented with a scenario that asks them as a team of engineers to design a prosthetic device for an injured animal to help it survive. The loss of limbs or anatomical body parts of wild and marine animals can occur as a result of injury, birth defects or diseases. Prosthetics are artificial devices created by humans to replace the injured or missing anatomical structure such as limbs, beaks, tails, fins, shells, etc.

The teacher will choose from 2 scenarios – one for terrestrial wildlife and one for marine animals. The Challenge includes a curriculum packet with background information, investigations to use to prepare students for the Challenge and an educators’ workshop to help teachers’ prepare to implement the Challenge in their classroom.

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Challenge Partners: Wade Institute for Science Education; Lloyd Center for the Environment; Buttonwood Park Zoo
Target Audience: Middle schools, though elementary and high schools are welcome to participate.

Students will be given the following Challenge:
Your team of engineers specializes in creating prosthetics for injured animals. You have been hired by a local organization that provides this service and need to create a prototype for the injured animal:

(Teachers will choose one of these two scenarios:)

1) Terrestrial Wildlife: A Wildlife Biologist has discovered an (animal) in the local (habitat) that has a deformation that is affecting its ability to survive. He has asked your team of engineers to create a prosthetic to help (insert animal) survive in the wild. Your Challenge is to create a prototype of the prosthetic you will use to help (animal) survive. (Examples of deformations may include an eagle whose beak is damaged, an elephant with a deformed leg, an owl missing a wing, a mountain goat missing a hoof, a squirrel with no tail)

2) Marine Wildlife: A local Marine Biologist has discovered an (animal) that has a deformation that is affecting its ability to survive. The (animal) is currently at the local aquarium. He has asked your team of engineers to create a prosthetic to help (animal) survive in the wild so that it can released back into the wild. Your Challenge is to create a prototype of the prosthetic you will use to help (animal) survive. (Examples of deformations may include a dolphin missing a tail, a sea turtle missing a flipper or with a broken shell, a duck with a damaged beak, a penguin missing a foot)

The Challenge will include:

At the end of the Challenge students will present their models to their peers, and invited guests, such as representatives of the participating STEM businesses, members of the STEM Advisory Council and educators/staff from the partner organizations. They will choose a presentation type such as a demonstration, video, storyboard, puppet show or skit to present their work. Their work will also be displayed on the social media platforms of the participating organizations and there may be opportunities to display their work at both the Lloyd Center and the Buttonwood Park Zoo.

The Curriculum Guide includes information and materials that will assist participants in designing and creating the prototype prosthetic.

The 6-hour Professional Development workshop will be offered in 2 formats: a full day in-person workshop at Buttonwood Park Zoo or a virtual workshop consisting of two 3-hour virtual sessions. During the workshop teachers will participate in the pre-Challenge investigations as well as the Challenge. The professional development opportunities will include extension resources they can use with their students before or after the design Challenge.

Please note: While we welcome out-of-state participants to join in this Challenge, funding is restricted to Massachusetts participants only, so we will not be able to provide non-Massachusetts educators with a materials kit. The Curriculum Guide will be available for any teachers participating in the Challenge.

Kids in Tech

This year’s STEM week will showcase two engaging programs – Everyday Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. The dual programs will allow students to see how engineering can solve problems and make a difference, whether using ordinary objects or advancing healthcare. Students will come away with a broader view of engineering possibilities and how creativity and science can change lives. The variety of activities will ignite their ingenuity while teaching real-world applications.

EVERYDAY ENGINEERING: Using the Ordinary to Create the Extraordinary

Will deepen students' understanding of the different branches of engineering and the variety of careers that they can lead to, all while they have fun creating some of their own engineering designs using everyday items. Register & Download Materials

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING: Transforming the Ordinary into Medical Marvels

Will deepen students' understanding of Biomedical Engineering, where engineers and medical professionals collaborate to solve health problems by designing medical devices and procedures. Biomedical engineering careers involve improving human health through innovations like artificial organs, prosthetics, medical imaging, and health informatics. All this while they have fun creating some engineering designs using everyday items. Register & Download Materials

Pre-Challenge Questions?
We are here to answer any questions you might have about implementing this STEM Challenge! Email: Info@kidsintech.org

The STEM Education Center at WPI

I am STEM – STEM I am, FREE PD
Variety of Dates/Times Available:
September 19 – October 12; Virtual Offerings

Bring STEM to your classroom during STEM Week 2023! The I am STEM – STEM I am lession library engages students, grades PK-7, in solving problems in books and is designed to empower students to become proud problem solvers. With continued support from the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the library has 8 new lessons and now includes more lessons for grades 6 & 7. Whether you're new to the library or you've used it with students before, join us for this PD to see what's new and get inspired to solve problems with your students!

The I am STEM PD is FREE and open to any PK-7 educator (in and out of school) interested in implementing a design challenge with their students. This interactive and engaging 90-minute session will introduce you to the problem-solving process, show you how to navigate the library, and allow you to briefly explore grade-level lessons and try out an activity with colleagues.

PD Dates and Times:
9/19, 9/27, 10/2, or 10/12 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
9/29 or 10/9 from 9:30am-11:00am

Registration is NOW OPEN on our webpage. Contact Donna with questions.

Museum of Science

Plant Packaging Design Challenge

The PreK-12 Division of the Museum of Science, Boston will offer a free engineering design challenge for grades 3-5 during MA STEM Week 2023.

In this 3-lesson challenge, students design a plant package to help keep a plant safe and healthy during transport. They take into consideration the basic needs of plants (sunlight, air, water, and nutrients) and explore materials to determine which could be used in their plant package design before they create, test, and improve their plant packages.

This unit connects to UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) by having students consider how food gets to grocery stores and how package design can reduce food waste.

Professional Learning Webinar
Thursday, September 28 from 3:30pm-4:30pm
Join EiE Professional Development manager, Mallory Schmidt, as we walk through EiE’s Plant Packaging Design Challenge! In this webinar, we will spend time with the Design Challenge, the engineering design process, how to support students through open-ended design challenges, and more. Educators will also gain access to the online educator guide and be able to participate in a Q&A session as they get ready for facilitation.
Click here to register!

PBLWorks

In partnership with Mass STEM Hub, a project of the One8 Foundation, students in grades 6-12 will use labor market data and other research to explore and present on STEM Careers through the lens of “How can we prepare and inspire people in Massachusetts to pursue STEM careers that have the greatest potential for impact?”

Students will collaborate with and seek feedback from local employers and peers on their presentations to build connections as they begin college and career planning. PBLWorks aims to reach 100+ schools with this applied learning experience.

United Way and Boston PIC

This design challenge focuses on social justice for civics by using STEM as the lever for change. Approximately 150 Boston Public School teachers and their classes will participate in this STEM Week design challenge.