LESSON 7 DESIGNING A LIGHT MOTION DETECTOR PURPOSE IN DESIGNING A LIGHT MOTION DETECTOR, STUDENTS WILL: Use the understanding of a closed circuit and the Engineering Design Process to build a light motion detector.
BACKGROUND FOR THE TEACHER In order to make a light motion detector, students at this point should have the basic understanding of closed circuits. If students have not had an opportunity to explore the FOSS Magnetism and Electricity module, then trying to build a light motion detector will be difficult and frustrating. The science is using electricity; the engineering is using the knowledge of science to make the motion detector. Engineering is where students will plan, create, and improve their projects. Engineering is defined as: Engineering is using anything human-made (creativity, understanding of materials, tools, mathematics, and science) to design things to solve a problem or fulfill a desire. Students will use the Engineering Design Process to get a better understanding of engineering and how it is used in daily practices. The Engineering Design Process (EDP) has many steps, however, for elementary purposes, the EDP, according to Engineering is Elementary, can be summed up in five steps. 1. ASK: WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? WHAT ARE THE CONSTRAINTS? WHAT HAVE OTHER S DONE? 2. IMAGINE: WHAT ARE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS? BRAINSTORM IDEAS. SELECT THE BEST ONES. 3. PLAN: DRAW A DIAGRAM. MAKE A LIST OF NEEDED MATERIALS. 4. CREATE: FOLLOW YOUR PLAN AND CREATE IT. TEST IT!
5. IMPROVE: MAKE YOUR DESIGN EVEN BETTER. TEST IT! THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS ASK IMPROVE THE GOAL IMAGINE C REATE P LAN
MATERIALS LESSON 7: DESIGNING A LIGHT MOTION DETECTOR FOR EACH STUDENT Student science notebook FOR EACH GROUP THE COMPONENTS FOR THE MOTION DETECTOR: o 2 D Cells o 1 D Cell holder o 1 Light bulb o 1 Light bulb holder o 1 Circuit board o 6 Red wires o 1 3 foot string o 2 3 x 5 index cards o 2 12 strips of scotch or masking tape FOR THE LESSON Chart paper for Vocabulary and Concepts Markers
GETTING READY LESSON 7: DESIGNING A MOTION DETECTOR 1. Schedule The Engineering Session The lesson will take about 45-60 minutes 2. Obtain the components needed for each group Get all the electrical components needed from the Magnetism and Electricity module to make a motion detector for each group. See Materials for the needed components for each project. 3. Prepare Charts Have an EDP poster and the steps with questions poster (See Background for Teacher) 4. Science Notebooks Have science notebooks available.
GUIDING THE LESSON LESSON 7: DESIGNING A LIGHT MOTION DETECTOR 1. Focus Question: How can you make a light motion detector by using the electrical components from the FOSS Magnetism and Electricity Module that would indicate that someone has entered the park facilities when the park is closed? Tell students, that the Mediana City Police Department requires any government property to have some type of alarm system that will be connected to police headquarters. The alarm must be a silent alarm. Tell the students that they will make a light motion detector that will turn on when it is triggered by the opening of the door. 2. Project Teams Having small groups helps students to collaborate, think together, Discourse (Talk Moves), share observations, and practice 21 st century skills. Have students get into their project design teams. 3. Students Should Have their Science Notebooks Ready This is another opportunity for the students to record their thinking while going through the activity. 4. Display The Engineering Design Process (EDP) Posters Ask o Students know the problem: Need an alarm system. o Constraints: Use the components listed in the materials section. o Complete the light motion detector in 45 minutes to an hour.
o Requirement: The light must go on and stay on when the light motion detector is triggered. Imagine o Have student design groups brainstorm ideas on how to make the light motion detector. o Select the best possible solution. Plan o Draw the best solution in your science notebooks o Make a list of the needed materials Create (Build) o Build the light motion detector o Test it! o See if the light turns on and stays on when it is triggered. Improve o Make any adjustments to make the light motion detector work better. 5. All Student Design Teams Should Complete a Light Motion Detector Every team should complete a light motion detector. If needed, teams that have a hard time completing a light motion detector should get help from those teams that completed a detector. 6. Science Notebooks Have students make any final notes, drawings, or improvements in the their science notebooks. Include any new vocabulary or concepts. 7. Gallery Walk of Completed Light Motion Detectors Have students demonstrate their detectors and explain their designs