Greetings, Double-O-STEM Club Agents! We need you for this important mission. Ameer and Leah need your help with a problem at the community center.
Think about these questions as you watch the video. Write answers in your Double-O STEM Club notebook.
In this Vertical Maze 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: Vertical Maze
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 the community center case with a charge to design a vertical maze. Problems associated with the case involve using available space and safety considerations (as age appropriate). During this activity, Double-O STEM Club agents will identify and describe the main problem presented in the video, discuss possible solutions with peers, 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 of vertical mazes via internet websites. 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:
During this activity, Double-O STEM Club agents will be introduced to the six types of simple machines (inclined plane, wedge, lever, pulley, screw, and wheel and axle). They will also be introduced to a few examples of these machines (and their combinations) in daily life, and begin researching how these machines can be used to transform the vertical maze into an interactive playground. Encourage agents to think creatively as they consider how simple machines can enhance their vertical maze designs. Share ideas with the larger group.
Materials
Setup
This activity includes group discussion and individual research. Prior to the lesson, set up an area that allows for whole class and small group discussion. Introduce simple machines (and their examples) in this area. If available, a document camera (or tablet connected to an LCD projector) may help agents visualize these examples. Setup tools to capture ideas discussed in this area (easel pad, computer-based notes). During this activity, agents will use library resources to research simple machines. Have internet-enabled computers available for their use to search library catalogues and databases nearby the discussion area.
Activity 2: Simple Machines Research
Research how the 6 types of simple machines (inclined plane, wedge, lever, pulley, screw, and wheel and axle) can be used to create interactive spaces in the vertical maze. Be sure to take notes and share them with other Double-O STEM Club agents.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
In small groups, Double-O STEM Club agents will research the primary problems related to types of mazes and maze safety. Based on their research, they should generate ideas for a solution. Agents will show and discuss their findings, identify problems or points of focus, and make recommendations about how to proceed.
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 agents with their research results from the research activities either in printouts or on a computer. Group members can use the handout questions to guide their thinking.
Activity 3: Maze Research
It is time to analyze the data from your research. Write down your ideas.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Vertical mazes can be enhanced by adding interactive areas within the maze. Interactive ideas are limited by agent's imaginations but may include ball runs, sliding doors, inclined planes, rotating floors, levers, and so forth. During this activity, Double-O STEM Club agents will use their creative energies and prior library research to brainstorm and design one or more interactive areas for their maze. Encourage agents to have fun with the activity. What would interest them? What experience might someone have as they complete the maze? What features will make their designed spaces interesting? What materials will they use? Have agents present their ideas to the group for feedback and improvement.
Materials
Setup
Set up a space where individuals and/or small groups have room to brainstorm and illustrate their ideas. While setting up the space, also ensure that groups can come together easily for whole group presentations and discussions regarding design ideas, safety features, materials, and so forth. This means including presentation tools (e.g., computer with LCD projector, easel pad).
Activity 4: Interactive Areas Design
Use library resources to research interactive areas for mazes. Use what you learned in the last section about simple machines to see how you could incorporate them into the vertical maze to makes some interactions for visitors. However, have fun with the activity.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Now that the Double-O STEM Club agents have analyzed their research findings about mazes and simple machines, they will use this information to design an evaluation checklist for interactive spaces. A draft evaluation checklist or rubric (of 8-12 items) will help agents know what they should strive to accomplish as they develop and test prototypes. At a minimum, evaluation criteria should emphasize use of simple machines.
Materials
Setup
Set up a seating arrangement that allows for whole-class and small group discussion and focuses attention on the tools used to capture agent ideas.
Activity 5: Prototype Design Criteria
Now that you have analyzed your research findings about mazes and simple machines, use this information to start thinking about design criteria for an interactive space. Don't worry about cost or practicality.
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 combine creative energies with the knowledge gained from library research to design a scale drawing of their vertical maze. How many levels will it have? How will individuals reach those levels? Try to make varied paths for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users. Have agents begin with a rough sketch of their design. Have agents present their work to others and seek feedback to improve. When agents are satisfied with their designs, create a scale model with engineering paper or computer software.
Materials
Setup
Set up a space where individuals and/or small groups have room to brainstorm and illustrate their ideas. While setting up the space, also ensure that groups can come together easily for whole group presentations and discussions regarding design ideas, safety features, materials, and so forth. This means including presentation tools (e.g., computer with LCD projector, easel pad).
Activity 6: Maze Schematic
Use your creative energies and the knowledge gained from your library research to design a scale drawing of your vertical maze. Begin with a rough sketch of your design. Present your work to other agents and seek feedback to improve. When you're satisfied with your designs, create a scale model with engineering paper or computer software.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Using the design plans developed in previous activities, agents will build models of interactive areas using resources provided in the library. Once built, they will seek feedback from others on their design, functionality, and so forth. They will use that feedback to refine their models. (see also evaluation below)
Materials
Setup
Set up a space where individuals and/or small groups have room to build models. In a central location, include materials that agents can use to construct their models. Also provide one or more cameras that can document construction approaches and design decisions. Ensure that groups can come together easily for whole group presentations and discussions regarding design decisions, safety features, materials, and so forth. This means including presentation tools in the learning space (e.g., computer with LCD projector, easel pad).
Activity 7: Interactive Areas Prototype
Put your designs to the test. Present your designs to Double-O STEM Club members who are not in your group, such as library guests or anyone else you can invite from the community. During your presentation, explain your design decisions. Answer any questions they have about the design. Ask them for suggestions on how to improve the design. Be sure to take notes.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
With feedback from others, it is time for Double-O STEM Club agents to revise their designs. Based on the questions and suggestions from their prototype testing presentation, how will they revise?
Materials
Setup
This activity includes individual and group work. Prior to the lesson, set up a space for each individual or group to be able to discuss the results of their design or prototype testing. Agents should review their notes from the testing to guide their revision discussions. They should be given time and resources to make any revisions to their design. Encourage agents to record their revisions and rationale for each revision based on feedback from the testing stage. Remind them that they will need to justify each design decision.
Activity 8: Design Revisions
With feedback from others, it is time for you to revise your design. Based on the questions and suggestions from your prototype testing presentation, how will you revise?
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Near the end of this case, agents will showcase their best prototype and the design decisions/ideas, and tests that led them to their solution. Then have agents describe their maze, 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 opportunity. Use this session to focus on celebrating accomplishments and creative thinking as well as completing a final reflection on the case.
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 a copy of their best prototype. Also provide tools for groups to develop a short presentation about their work.
Activity 9: Showcase and Reflection
Good job, agents! I know I could count on you to solve the Community Center’s vertical maze problem. Now it is time to share your designs. As a group, you will present your revised prototype and your design decisions.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Celebration
Fantastic vertical maze and interactive area designs, agents! Watch the video below to wrap up this Double-O STEM Club mission.
This content is provided to you freely by EdTech Books.
Access it online or download it at https://edtechbooks.org/double_o_stem/VerticalMaze.