Mission Library

Playground Peril

Material Properties
Grades 1-2

The Mission

23 min

Storyline

Using their knowledge of object properties, the crew will reassemble a playground that has been taken apart by GAL-Delilahs.

Everything is in pieces -- literally. This playground is in one of the city's most popular parks. The crew must first determine which property the GAL-Delilahs sorted the parts and materials based on. T...

3-Dimensional Science

Phenomenon

Objects can be classified using observable properties.

Science and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

  • Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer a question.

  • Make observations (firsthand or from media) and/or measurements to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.

  • Make observations (firsthand or from media) and/or measurements of a proposed object or tool or solution to determine if it solves a problem or meets a goal.

  • Make predictions based on prior experiences.

Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

  • Make observations (firsthand or from media) to construct an evidence-based account for natural phenomena.

  • Generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem.

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns

  • Children recognize that patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

Structure and Function

  • Students observe the shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s).

Disciplinary Core Ideas

PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter

  • Matter exists as different substances that have observable different properties. Different properties are suited to different purposes. Objects can be built up from smaller parts.

ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems

  • A situation that people want to change or create can be approached as a problem to be solved through engineering. Such problems may have many acceptable solutions. Asking questions, making observations, and gathering information are helpful in thinking about problems. Before beginning to design a solution, it is important to clearly understand the problem.

Targeted Standards

Resources

  • Device for teacher
  • Laptops or iPads for each student in class
  • Large screen to mirror to

Skills in Action

Critical ThinkingCollaborationResilienceProblem SolvingInitiative