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Design and Engineer Solutions

A solar boat made of clear plastic cups. 2 cups are taped together a solar panel inside with wires to a motor and propeller outside one end. Plastic straws are taped to lower sides of the boat. Wooden skewers from the top attach a third cup open to the boat.
Phenomena: Solar Powered Cell

Students will utilize solar power to build a model to address the problem they’ve identified with plastic trash.

Learning Goals:

  1. Students will take part in the engineering design process.
  2. Students will use problem solving skills to make changes to designs.
  3. Students will use speaking and listening skills to give presentations and listen to others give their presentation.
Materials List

Handouts

Classroom Supplies

  • Silicone sealant
  • Netting
  • Foam
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Hot glue
  • Duct tape
  • Other building supplies
  • Solar panels
  • Motors
  • Propellers
  • Wires
  • Computers for each pair of students
  • 3D Printer
  • 3D Pens
  • PLA material for printer/pen
  • Plastic glitter (example)

Important Links

Lesson 4 of 4 / Time: 9 periods of 50 mins

This lesson is designed to span 9 days with 50-minute sessions. The students will use a Design and Engineering Journal to guide them in the design and engineering process. In small groups they will use the research from lesson 2 to formulate solutions to the problem of plastic trash islands. The students will build models using the 3D printer, 3D pens, and misc., building materials. The models will use passive energy or some other form of renewable energy to collect plastic from the ocean. Possible solutions may not involve building a model — some students may think of other ways to solve the problem, such as plastic straw bans or a chemical reaction to sink the plastic to the ocean floor. The students will test their models, collect data, and redesign as needed. They will use the data to create presentations about their solutions.

 

Adrift in a Sea of Plastic

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