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Abilities of Technological Design (K-4)

* Identify a simple problem. Children should develop the ability to explain a problem in their own words.  * Propose a solution. Describe and communicate their ideas.  * Implementing the proposed solutions. Working individually or in groups, they should use suitable tools, techniques, and measurements.  * Evaluate a product or design.  * Communicate a problem, design, or solution. (NSES, 1996)

In the rectangle above, you will find the fundamental concepts and principles that underlie this standard. Below you will find a list of recommended "learning tools" for this standard. Just click the links within the descriptions. Numbers are for reference only. Use our "Tell a Friend" feature, at the bottom,  to send this page to a friend! 

1 One of the most spectacular learning tools we have ever seen! The name of this extraordinary learning tool is called Launchball and has been produced by the Science Museum of London. Students love this intuitive interactive. Once they get to the site, have students select "Play the Levels", they don't need a code (they will for saving their work), then have them do the "Warm Up". This will teach them all they need to know to explore this incredible virtual world of electricity, heat, magnetism, forces, motion, and the conducting power of copper. Just incredible!
2

This wonderful "learning tool" is called Tinker Ball and challenges students to discover different ways to get a ball into the goal. Students explore an assortment of objects to create new paths. This was developed by the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.
3

This "learning tool" is called Ladybug Mazes and allows students to plan a series of steps to navigate a maze. This tool comes to us from a fabulous site called the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives  for Interactive Mathematics. The site is funded by the National Science Foundation and is a tremendous resource. Click the Instructions button when you get there.
4

The name of this "learning tool" is called Grain Strain. In this interactive lesson students drag machines from the bottom of the screen to solve a problem. This was developed by the Science Museum of London.
5

Make a Mission is a “learning tool” from Science NetLinks. Students explore some of the factors involved when NASA designs a real mission to space. In this interactive, students build a spacecraft in order to explore the planet Mercury—just as the NASA team did when they planned and built the real MESSENGER spacecraft!
6

The name of this "learning tool" is called A-Mazing Robot. In this clever interactive lesson students will direct a robot through simple programming steps to find and dispose of some toxic waste. This is brought to us by a tremendous site called TryScience. This site is a well done combination of home and online experiments and lots of other fun stuff.

7 Mr. Zippy's Trainers is an interactive animation that requires students to choose aspects of trainers (in America they are called sneakers or running shoes) that will keep Mr. Zippy's feet dry and help him to run fast. The students then design their own trainer on screen. This “learning tool” is brought to us by Science Year.

8 A little quirky and very fun to work with I Wish Fly on the Sky is a "learning tool" that helps kids learn about flight. Follow the adventures of a little wizard named Toby as she learns what it takes to fly. When you get to the site, just click the start button under "English". This clever tool was developed by the Science Museum of Tokyo.  Shockwave is required.

9 The Satellite Site is brought to us by The Tech Museum of Innovation.  Students become satellite designers. In the Satellite Construction Set activity, students can build a direct transmission television system, a satellite using remote sensing, or do scientific research.

10 The name of this "learning tool" is called Keeping Warm. Students compare the insulating properties of plastic, cardboard, and metal; as a liquid cools. Students then build a data table to explain their results.  Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.
11 The name of this clever "learning tool" is called Speed, Eggs and Slam. In this interactive lesson students find a way, through trial and error, to stop an egg from breaking in the back of a pick up truck. The truck is on an inclined plane ready to foil the student efforts. This is brought to us by the tremendous site called TryScience.

 

  

 

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