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| Life Vest Challenge |  |
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(Full teacher resource documents are included in the PDF)
Lesson Focus
Lesson explores the engineering behind life vests or personal flotation devices and the challenges met by these devices. Students work in teams to design and build a flotation device out of everyday materials that can keep an unopened can of soup or vegetables afloat in a bucket of water or sink for a minute. They design their life vest, build and test it, evaluate their designs and those of classmates, and share observations with their class.
Lesson Synopsis
The "Life Vest Challenge" lesson explores how engineers work to solve the challenges of a society, such as creating and improving devices that can help prevent loss of life in water. Students work in teams to devise a system using every day materials that can keep an unopened can of soup or vegetables afloat for at least a minute in a bucket of water or sink. Student teams sketch their plans, build their system, test it, reflect on the challenge, and present their findings to their class.
Age Levels: 8-14
Objectives
- Learn about engineering design and redesign.
- Learn about personal floatation devices (PFDs).
- Learn how engineering can help solve society's challenges.
- Learn about teamwork and problem solving.
Anticipated Learner Outcomes
As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of:
- engineering design
- safety and society
- teamwork
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Lesson ActivitiesStudents explore how engineers have solved societal problems such as developing and improving equipment that helps save lives in water emergencies. Students work in teams to develop a flotation device out of everyday materials than can keep an unopened can of soup or vegetables afloat for a minute in a bucket of water or a sink. They evaluate their results, and the results of other teams, and share their reflections with the class.
Resources/Materials- Teacher Resource Documents
- Student Resource Sheet
- Student Worksheet
Alignment to Curriculum FrameworksCurriculum alignment sheet is included in PDF.
CategoriesEngineering Design, Motion And Forces, Properties Of Materials
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