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 Wheelchair Accessible Swing 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: Wheelchair Accessible Swing
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 cases and the charge to develop a wheelchair accessible swing for a redesigned playground. 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. 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 case will explain to Double-O STEM Club agents that there are certain rules and standards that need to be followed when designing equipment for individuals with disabilities. Have agents use the Internet and other library resources to find information about ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards, and specifically about designing playground equipment for children in wheelchairs. Ask agents questions like the following: Are there rules about what size or shape the swing needs to be? Are there rules about how children should be able to access the swing? What about safety bars? Maximum or minimum weight? Materials? Do you see any examples online that look good to you?
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 Wheelchair Accessible Swings
Use the internet and other library resources to research ways to ensure that playground swings are safe for all kids, including those using wheelchairs. Think about and discuss what you find. Capture your ideas in this handbook and share them with others.
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 wheelchair accessible swing models. Criteria to consider may include (but is not limited to) accessibility, safety, quality, durability, functionality in various weather scenarios, use of materials, 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
What criteria should others use to examine your wheelchair accessible swing model? Create a list of ideas and narrow it to 8-12 items with help from your peers and librarians. You can update your checklist as you develop and reflect on your prototypes.
Guiding Questions:
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Prior to developing their prototype(s), 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? Using either a piece of paper or a computer application, agents should develop a detailed schematic for their swing. Agents should 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: Wheelchair Accessible Swing Schematic
Time to start building! Use library materials to create a prototype (an example for testing). Don’t worry about it looking nice. Have someone in your group write down the design decisions you make along the way.
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 design a wheelchair accessible swing of their own. Agents can use paper, scissors, glue, tape, and other items at the library. Encourage agents to think creatively! Ask agents questions like: What will your swing look like? What materials will it use? How wide will it need to be? How tall should it be? Agents don’t need to make a life-size model; keeping the model small will facilitate building and allow agents to improve it. Agents should review the prototye evaluation criteria developed in Activity 3. be reminded to share their design decisions with other Double-O STEM Club agents.
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: Wheelchair Accessible Swing Prototype
Time to start building! Take some time to consider what materials will work best for your prototype. Don’t worry about it looking nice. Have someone in your group write down the design decisions you make along the way.
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 wheelchair accessible swing problem. Now it is time to share your designs. As a group, you will present your prototype (make a new one if yours was damaged during testing) and your design decisions.
Learning Objectives
Next Generation Science Standards - Engineering
American Association of School Librarians Standards - Inquiry
Celebration
Excellent wheelchair accessible swing 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/WheelchairAccessibleSwing.