Greetings, Double-O-STEM Club Agents! You have been selected for an important mission. Serena needs your help with a problem in her community.
Think about these questions as you watch the video. Write answers in your Double-O STEM Club notebook.
In this Playground Calm Space case, students will use library resources to complete the following tasks listed below. The learner version of the case can be found using this link.
Learners will need a place to take notes as they brainstorm and research solutions to the problem. Although questions are presented in the agent section of the online chapter, this course also includes a downloadable handbook for each case with brief activity descriptions, questions, thinking prompts, and white space for taking notes. This is presented as an "agent handbook," as learners are acting as new agents helping the main character with the mission/problem. Librarians may choose to download and print this handbook for learners or have them do it. Alternatively, librarians may decide to have learners type answers on a computer or provide learners with a folder in which to place the printouts or spiral notebook in which to write answers, sketch ideas, etc.
The following link to the handbook is also available to students in their student version of this book.
Double-O STEM Club Agent Handbook: Playground Calm Space
For your convenience, the student version of each activity is located in the "Think," "Create," and "Share & Grow" sections of this book.
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Standards - Inquiry
Learning Activities
This activity introduces Double-O STEM Club agents to the case and the charge to develop a calm space for a redesigned playground. The primary problem associated with the case involves designing a calm space for kids with sensory hypersensitivity to get away from the noise and chaos of the playground as needed. During this activity, Double-O STEM Club agents will identify and describe the main problem presented in the video, discuss possible solutions with peers, and formulate research questions based on identified problem(s) and prior knowledge.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes whole-class and group discussion. Set up an area that allows the librarian to introduce the case and share examples. Provide agents with notebooks and writing instruments and encourage them to capture ideas (through words and illustrations) as they work on this case. Allow agents to brainstorm problems associated with the case and questions that may require additional research. Capture main ideas on a whiteboard, easel pad, or other medium. Be sure to ask agents if there are aspects of other cases they have completed that might apply in this case.
Activity 1: Discussion
Now that you have seen the video, work with other Double-O STEM Club agents to think about the problem and a solution.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering:
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry:
This activity will explain to Double-O STEM Club agents that some kids like to take a break to calm down, and some kids need to take a break. Direct agents to find out why some people are sensitive to certain stimuli (like noise, bright or flashing lights, etc.). Instruct and encourage agents to: Look up the term “sensory hypersensitivity” and describe what they find. Think of examples of things that might bother someone with sensory hypersensitivity. Then think of things that might make them feel better or more comfortable.
Materials
Setup
Make sure agents will have access to computer resources for internet, database, and library catalogue research. Set up an area where whole and small groups can congregate. Use this area to introduce the activity, provide examples, brainstorm and consider criteria to examine, and develop and present findings.
Activity 2: Research Sensory Hypersensitivity and Calm Spaces
Use the internet and other library resources to research why some children need to take a break from the playground. Write down what you learn and share your notes with other agents.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
During this activity, Double-O STEM Club agents will think of criteria that others should use to examine their calm playground space models. Criteria to consider may include (but is not limited to) accessibility, safety, sensory elements (e.g., touch, smell, sight, sound), use in various weather scenarios, use of materials (e.g., natural, man-made, recycled) beauty, cost, and so forth. Help agents generate a list of criteria within small or large groups and narrow and refine that criteria to a list of 8-12 that can be considered by others in a few minutes. This evaluation checklist can be modified and refined as prototypes are developed and reflected upon.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes individual and group discussion. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around a hands-on activity. Provide electronic or paper-based copies of survey responses to each group of agents. Also provide tools for groups to tally survey results and present their findings to the whole group.
Activity 3: Prototype Feedback Criteria
Think of criteria that others should use to examine your calm playground space model. Librarians or educators are available to help you create a list of criteria with other agents and narrow your criteria to a list of 8-12 that can be considered by others in a few minutes. You can update your checklist as you develop and reflect on your prototype.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Prior to developing a calm space prototype, Double-O STEM Club agents should take some time to plan. What will they build? What will it look like? How large will it be? Will it have moving parts? Will it include natural materials? How will designs block out noise? Are there calming activities that can be incorporated? Using either a piece of paper or a computer application, agents should develop a detailed schematic for their swing. Agents keep track of design decisions in their notebooks.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes small and whole group discussion. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around a hands-on activity. Focus the seating arrangement so agents have space to draw but can still see each other in classroom and small group discussions.
Activity 4: Playground Calm Space Schematic
Prior to developing a calm space prototype, you should take some time to plan. Using either a piece of paper or a computer application, agents should develop a detailed schematic for their swing. Write down your design decisions.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Have Double-O STEM Club agents use paper, scissors, glue, tape, and other items around the library to construct a model of a calm playground space away from the main equipment and entrances. Encourage creative thinking! What will the space look like? What natural materials can be used? What man-made materials? What will make it most comfortable? What quiet play features can be included? How big should it be? What other features, such as water fountains, should be included to help kids calm down when they are upset? Tell agents not to worry about making a life-size model. Keeping your model small will be easier to build and allow you to improve upon it. Agents should be encouraged to share their design decisions with the after-school group.
Materials
Setup
This activity is largely hands-on. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around a hands-on activity. Make sure there is ample space for agents to cut, fold, tape, and glue materials together to practice putting together their model designs. Organize craft materials so they are in a central location with easy access to agents. You may want to begin this lesson by reviewing some design techniques to help ensure safety, wheelchair accessibility, and weather-resistance. Encourage agents to document ideas in their notebooks. Also encourage them to refer to notebooks for design ideas from past sessions. Be sure to use the camera to capture work samples and design processes during the session.
Activity 5: Playground Calm Space Prototype
Time to start building! Use the materials that you chose in the last step to create a prototype (an example for testing). Don’t worry about it looking nice. Don’t worry about making a life-size model either. Keeping your model small will be easier to build and allow you to improve upon it. Write down the design decisions you make along the way and share them with fellow agents.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Near the end of this case, Double-O STEM Club agents will showcase their best prototype and the design decisions/ideas, and tests that led them to their solution. This may require them to make a new version of their prototype (if testing and reflection damaged or destroyed their prototype). Encourage agents to focus on a quality build over aesthetics (if needed). Then have agents describe their model, the design decisions they used to develop it, how testing and reflection improved their product, and how they would continue to perfect the model if given the chance. Use this session to focus on celebrating accomplishments and creative thinking.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes individual and group discussion. Prior to the lesson, set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole and small group discussion around group presentations. Make sure to decorate the presentation space with celebration materials. Provide agents with their notebooks, photographs and videos of prototypes and testing examples, summaries of evaluation criteria for their prototypes, and a copy of their best prototype. Also provide tools for groups to develop a short presentation about their work.
Activity 6: Showcase and Reflection
Good work, agents! I knew I could count on you to solve the community’s calm playground space problem. Now it is time to share your designs. As a group, you will share your prototype (make a new one if yours was damaged during testing) and your design decisions.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Celebration
Excellent playground calm space designs, agents! Watch the video below to wrap up this Double-O STEM Club mission.
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Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/double_o_stem/PlaygroundCalmSpace.