STEM + Families Propelling Our World Event In partnership with

STEM Families Propelling Our World Event In partnership with Huntington Ingalls Industries Date:

Introductions [Insert names and photos of PTA members who will be facilitating.]

Norms Actively participate Be open-minded and respect other people’s ideas Use technology responsibly Limit sidebars; please mute when not speaking

What is STEM? Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Tonight’s Goals Make real-world connections with the engineering design process and STEM principles (problem-solving, critical thinking, etc.) Inspire students and families to explore careers in STEM, the skilled trades and advanced manufacturing Provide students and families with the knowledge and resources to continue exploration of STEM careers and the skilled trades

STEM & the Engineering Design Process The Engineering Design Process (EDP) is a series of steps that helps to guide solving problems. Steps of the EDP: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Define the problem Plan solutions Make a model Test the model Reflect and redesign!

Plan for the Evening

Background Knowledge What do you notice about these bridges?

Cookie Bridge Challenge: Whole Group Challenge: Create a free standing (cannot be supported by other objects) bridge using cookies. Cookie bridge must be able to support at least 1 cup of milk.

Gather Your Materials Cookies (any kind) and 1 cup of milk

Step 1: Define the Problem Build a cookie bridge. Your cookie bridge must support 1 cup of milk.

Step 2: Plan Solutions Discuss the shape of your bridge. Think about different designs.

Step 3: Make a Model *Be sure to build the cookie bridge AWAY from your computer! This bridge needs to support 1 cup of milk, and it might spill.* Take a few cookies and start experimenting with shapes for your bridge. Don’t test your bridge until we say GO!

Hint From an Engineer Think about WEIGHT when building your bridge. Weight is distributed evenly throughout the real bridge to make sure it doesn’t collapse!

Step 4: Test the Model Make sure your cup and bridge are far away from your computer! Put a cup on top of your bridge. Slowly fill the cup.

Step 5: Reflect and Redesign Did it work? What part worked? How can the design change if you added different types of cookies? Challenge: How can you design your bridge to hold more weight? How can you design your bridge to be taller? What changes can you make to your bridge? Jamboard

STEM Career Connections Civil engineer, architect, crane operator, surveyor, drafter Skills used: Knowledge of building and construction Critical thinking skills Technical skills Mathematics Engineering Teamwork Design thinking

Let’s Try It! You now get a chance to try 3 experiments. You will be sent to a breakout room to do these alongside other families. Please take a minute to gather all of your materials for the next 3 experiments.

Materials

3 Experiments Sam’s Raft Adventure Rescue Sam’s Submarine Knowledge Sam’s Parachute Misadventure

Sam’s Raft Adventure Your challenge: Design and build a device to rescue Sam’s life vest from inside his capsized raft. To do that, we need to utilize the engineering design process to build a device to rescue Sam’s life vest from inside a capsized raft!

Materials One 8 oz. clear, plastic cup Gummy worm A Lifesaver Imagination

Instructions Sam (the gummy worm) is placed on top of the raft (cup), and the life vest (lifesaver) is under the cup. Sam cannot swim. Only the rescue device you create can be used to save Sam if he falls off (not your hands!) or to move the other materials, such as the raft and life vests. How can you and your team retrieve Sam’s lifejacket without using your hands to pick up the cup? How can your team ensure Sam does not fall into the raging rapids (fall off the cup)? What is the best way to put his lifejacket on without touching him with your hands and drowning him in the water?!

Background Knowledge Think about what rafts are made of and how they work. What are the purposes of rafts?

Engineering Design Process Define the problem: Look at the pictures and/or talk with your family team about how life vests are necessary for boating safety. Plan solutions: Discuss as a team what household materials you can use to safely move Sam without falling into the Eagle River! Make a model: Experiment with combining materials to create your rescue device. Plan how your team will work together to use the rescue device. Test the model: Save Sam! Use your rescue device to lift the raft without knocking Sam over. As the raft is lifted, a team members must use the rescue device to pull the life vest from under the raft. Once the life vest is safely retrieved, talk as a team how you will use your rescue device to put the life vest on Sam without hurting him. Reflect and redesign: If your rescue device is not working for all steps, create new solutions and change the design of the device. If it fails, redesign!

Questions to Ask What are some different ideas you used as a family? Did you learn from mistakes? What happened when you tried again? Challenges: Once the life vest is safely retrieved, talk as a team how you will use your rescue device to put the life vest on Sam without hurting him. Redesign the challenge! Add a gummy worm friend for Sam that needs rescued! Make the raft larger Change the size of the life vest. How can you design the rescue device to group more gummy worms together?

STEM Career Connections Welder, Marine Engineer, Shipfitter, Mechanical Engineer, Environmental Scientist Skills used: Knowledge of physics Design skills Leadership Attention to detail Creativity Engineering design thinking Collaboration

Sam’s Parachute Misadventure Your challenge: Design and build a device to transport Sam safely down a mountain to his campsite on the ground.

Materials Gummy Worms Coffee Filters Cups String Tape Construction Paper Card Stock Paper Imagination

Instructions Sam (gummy worm) must be placed inside the parachute during all trials and cannot fall out! Sam cannot fly, he’s a worm! Only the parachute you create can be used to help Sam get to his campsite. But be careful not to hurt Sam. Look at your materials and think about the questions below. Then sketch your ideas on a piece of paper. What design of your transportation device will keep Sam secure? How can your team design the device to float/fly?

Background Knowledge

Engineering Design Process Define the problem: Talk with your family about how it can be designed safely. Plan solutions: Discuss how gravity can affect the path for your parachute and what household materials would help Sam fly without falling out! Start to combine items to create your parachute. Make a model: Discuss and plan for how your team will work together to use the parachute safely in the house. Test the model: Save Sam! Test your parachute prototype. If it fails to float gently from different heights redesign . Use your parachute prototype to help him down the mountain. Reflect and redesign: If your parachute is not working for all steps, create new solutions, use different materials, and change the design of the parachute.

Questions to Ask What are some different ideas you used as a family? Did you learn from mistakes? What happened when you tried again? Challenges: Redesign the challenge! Add a gummy worm friend for Sam that needs rescued! Make the parachute larger or smaller. Change the height of the mountain. How can you design the parachute to support more weight? How would the parachute perform if the climate and/or weather changed: add wind, rain, or other variables?

STEM Career Connections Paratrooper, Pilot, Aerospace Engineer, Data Analyst, Geographer, Information Technology Skills used: Knowledge of physics Design skills Leadership Attention to detail Inquiry skills Engineering design thinking Teamwork Data-driven decision making

Sam’s Submarine Knowledge Your challenge: Design and build a submarine to safely transport Sam on his ocean adventure AND keep him dry! He still can’t swim!

Materials Gummy worms 1 plastic cup Imagination

Instructions Sam (gummy worm) must be placed inside the submarine and cannot get wet! Look at your materials and think about the questions below. Then sketch your ideas on a piece of paper. What design of your transportation device will keep Sam dry? Discuss your plan!

Background Knowledge Look at these images of submarines. As a family, talk about what these look like, what they’re made of and how they might work.

Engineering Design Process Define the problem: Look at the pictures and/or talk with your family team about how submarines can be designed to keep passengers safe from leaks and pressure. Plan solutions: Discuss as a team how pressure can affect submarines as they are submerged in deep water. Discuss as a team what household materials would safely help Sam explore the ocean while staying dry. Make a model: Experiment with combining items to create your submarine design. Discuss and plan for how your team will work together to test the submarine safely in the house. Test the model: Save Sam! Test your parachute prototype. If it fails to float, sink, or keep Sam dry then redesign. Use your submarine to navigate the Atlantic Ocean. Reflect and redesign: If your submarine is not working for all steps, create new solutions, use different materials, and change the design of the prototype.

Questions to Ask What are some different ideas you used as a family? Did you learn from mistakes? What happened when you tried again? Challenges: Redesign the challenge! Add a gummy worm friend for Sam that loves to explore, too! Make the submarine larger or smaller. Can you add propulsion to the submarine? How can you design the submarine to dive deeper?

STEM Career Connections Naval Architect, Modeling and Simulation Engineer, Ocean Engineer, Chemist Skills used: Knowledge of measurement Problem solving skills Ecological/conservation knowledge Engineering design thinking Leadership

What Did You Learn? Go to the Jamboard. For each experiment, add sticky notes to share what you learned!

Thank You! For more fun STEM experiments, go to PTA.org/STEM/At-Home