Flooded Playground – Designing Solutions to Flooding Problems

This task is for 4th grade students. After class brainstorm of the causes and effects of flooding on a playground or in a local context, students will generate solutions to the problems related to the flooding. Students will select two solutions to describe how the solutions could be implemented and what factors affect the success of the solutions. Students will describe which of the two solutions they think is best and the reasons for their decision.

Assessment 3D Learning Target

Generate and compare multiple solutions that address the causes and effects of flooding.

Standard Addressed

PEs: 4-ESS3-2: Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans.

3-5-ETS1-2: 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.

By Dimension: Specific dimension pieces that this assessment will center on.

SEP(s):

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

  • Generate and compare multiple solutions to a problem based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the design solution.

DCI(s):

ESS3.B: Natural Hazards

  • A variety of hazards result from natural processes (e.g., earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions). Humans cannot eliminate the hazards but can take steps to reduce their impacts.

ETS1.B: Designing Solutions to Engineering Problems

  • At whatever stage, communicating with peers about proposed solutions is an important part of the design process, and shared ideas can lead to improved designs

CCC(s):

Cause and Effect

  • Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified, tested, and used to explain change.

Influence on Society & Natural World

  • Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefits, to decrease known risks, and to meet societal demands.

Files

Creators

  • Jodi Crimmins, Oak Harbor Public Schools
  • Shelley Boyce, Orting School District
  • Jacob Parikh, OSPI
  • Barbara Bromley, Edmonds School District