CKSci Grade 3 – Science in Action: Christian and Skylar
Focus:
In this unit, students explore the young lives and current professional careers of two researchers, Christian and Skylar. Christian studies how to make computer chips and also studies how to make more effective greenhouses for grown plants. Skylar is engaged in developing new systems for aiding the human body in movement. She studies robotic arms that can help certain people move more effectively. Students start out by reading incidents of the young lives of each of these people and they then see the current, active lives of both. They see how inspiration, experiences, and challenges in life can lead to decision that led to exciting, rewarding careers in science through a person’s life. Students will also learn how scientists from the past inspired these researchers. Along the way students learn scientific facts that are an integral part of the lives of these science researchers.
- Who are some of the people that inspired these two researchers when they were young?
- What experiences first awakened scholarly interest in these two people?
- How did going to school help both people recognize their interests and achieve their goals?
- How did going to college help these researchers become mature thinkers?
- What is mechanical engineering?
- Why do computer chips need to be studied in rooms that are ultra clean?
- How can solar panels help a greenhouse be more effective?
- What is a Rube Goldberg device and what can a person learn building one?
- What does it mean to “print new body parts”?
- What is biomechanical engineering and how does it help people?
- Can engineers invent devices to help blind people see?
Number of Lessons: 4
Instruction Time:
- Each Chapter is designed to be completed in one 30-45-minute class period.
- Some single-day activities and performance tasks might require setting aside a longer block of time.
- This Unit should be completed in about 4-5 classroom days.
- A complete list of Materials needed to complete the unit is provided in Online Resources.
- Activity pages and answers are included in the Teacher Guide.
- Online Resources contain a wealth of additional teacher support.
Additional Search Terms:
ottoman • problem • solution • constraints • computer chip • solar panel • design • civil engineer • computer engineer • materials engineer • mechanical engineer • patent • robotic
