From Ship to Shore

1. From Ship to Shore RPDP Science Team Stacy Cohen Kris Carroll Bret Sibley Carl Jarvinen

2. Waves Light and Sound Performance Expectation for first Grade: 1-PS4-4. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.* [Clarification Statement: Examples of devices could include a light source to send signals, paper cup and string “telephones,” and a pattern of drum beats.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include technological details for how communication devices work.]

3. Topic Description • Ships depart and arrive at different parts of the shore every day. In order to maintain safe distances and make sure that they can either take off or dock, they must communicate with the coast guard on shore. There are many different types of devices that signal to the coast guard and other ships that they are there so that the ships don’t collide or catch anyone off guard. Your task is to investigate the research question, “How do ships talk to the shore?” • I understand ships communicate to the shore by…

4. Prediction/Beginning Ideas Your Task • You are on a boat traveling to the shore to dock. You have no cell phone and your radio on the boat is broken. How do you communicate with the shore to let them know that you are coming? Design a device that will signal the shore.

5. Phase A: The Problem • The first step in engineering to define the problem. • Ways in which you can try to understand the problem is to ask questions, make observations, and gathering information about the problem and parts of the problem. Before beginning to design a solution, it is important to clearly understand the problem.

6. Defining the Problem in our Activity 1. What is the problem? • I think the main problem is….What are some parts of this problem that I need to understand? 2. What are some parts of this problem that I need to understand? • Some parts of this are…. 3. What would a solution look like? • Successful solutions would….

7. Phase B: Designing Solutions • Solution ideas include: • Draw a picture that you think describes the story/scene (ie. the problem to be solved) • Circle or label the parts of the problem • Write a description about the problem and your solution

8. Tests Design your Solution • Work in a group of 3-4 people • Discuss your potential design solutions • Decide on a group design • Make it!

9. Phase C: Comparing Designs • What are the strengths of our design or • This idea is good because…… • What are the weaknesses of our design or • This idea might not work because…..

10. Observations Comparing Designs • Gallery Walk • Walk around and look at other groups designs • Make observations about their designs • This idea is good because… • This idea might not work because…

11. Scientific Argument Claims: • In this investigation you developed a device that uses light or sound to communicate over a distance. I can claim that my group’s design worked/did not work Evidence: • How do you know? Why are you making these claims? My claim is based on… (evidence) Rationale/Warrant/Justification My evidence supports my claim because…

12. Comparison • Compare your group’s design to actual communication devices that ship use. • What are the similarities and/or differences? • What do al of the pictures of communication devices have in common?

13. Activity Debrief • Look at the NEPF standards • What standards does this lesson hit? • Necessary Modifications?