Models and Designs. The Hum DInger Challenge

Grade 5 students examined different models and designs and they need to use their multi sensory observations to figure them out.  
(Today we added "switch" and "circuit" to our word bank. Click the following links to access the units' vocabulary.)

Students were  challenged to make a model that hums when you pull the string and dings when you let go. First they observed a fanciful device called a hum dinger Working by themselves the draw a conceptual model of it and with their groups they collaborate and decide on just one design they organized and assembled components to build a physical model of a hum dinger using our class materials. Finally they compared their models to a working hum dinger we had in  the classroom.

After working with their table teams, they wrote a reflection on their science journal to answer the following questions:

• Can you improve your model?
• How was the hum dinger constructed?
• Was the physical hum dinger the same as your conceptual model?  How was it different? Why?

During today's investigation students learned:

• Scientists construct physical models to demonstrate how something works or how it is constructed
• Scientists collaborate to find solutions to problems
• Electric devices need to complete a circuit in order to work
• Levers are used to move objects

To extend their learning at home, students are working on the Response Sheet and the Home/school connection, writing complete sentences with adequate evidence and examples.

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