Partnerships Implementing Engineering Education Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester Public Schools

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1 Life Sciences: 4.E.2 The Natural Water Filter Grade Level 4 Sessions Seasonality Instructional Mode(s) Team Size WPS Benchmarks MA Frameworks Key Words 1 hour N/A Whole class 4 students 04.SC.IS SC.IS SC.IS SC.TE SC.TE SC.TE IS IS IS TE TE TE.2.3 Filtration, Permeate Summary Students will design and construct a water filter using a 2 plastic 2 liter bottles and layers of natural material. The goal of the students is to make the filter clean the water while using the least amount of material as possible. The group with the lightest Natural Water Filter will be dubbed the winner if the teacher decides to make it competitive. Learning Objectives 2002 Worcester Public Schools (WPS) Benchmarks for Grade 4 04.SC.IS.01 Ask questions and make predictions that can be tested. 04.SC.IS.03 Keep accurate records while conducting simple investigations or experiments. 04.SC.IS.06 Record data and communicate findings with others using graphs, charts, maps, models, and oral and written reports. 04.SC.TE.01 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on specific property. 04.SC.TE.02 Identify and explain the appropriate materials and tools to construct a given prototype safely. 1 of 6

2 04.SC.TE.06 Identify relevant design features for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem. Additional Learning Objectives IS.1 Ask questions and make predictions that can be tested IS.3 Keep accurate records while conducting simple investigations or experiments IS.6 Record data and communicate findings with others using graphs, charts, maps, models, and oral and written reports TE.1.1 Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, i.e., weight, strength, hardness, and flexibility TE.2.1 Describe different ways in which a problem can be represented, e.g., sketches, diagrams, graphic organizers, and lists TE.2.3 Identify relevant design features (e.g., size, shape, weight) for building a prototype of a solution to a given problem. Required Background Knowledge None Essential Questions 1. What is a natural water filter? 2. How does a natural water filter work? Introduction / Motivation Present the students with a sieve or lettuce spinner. Show how it restricts the size of objects that can pass through. Ask them why the materials they have might be a good way to filter dirty water. Procedure The instructor will 1. Pass out the Engineering Design Worksheet or if the students are keeping an Engineering Notebook have the students use them for this lesson. 2. Have students break into groups and begin brainstorming, explain to them that the goal is to be able to make an efficient prototype that can clean the water while using the least amount of material. 2 of 6

3 3. Next, have the students sketch a model of the water filter. 4. After start assembling the filter. 5. When a student finishes have them pour a dirty cup of water through the filter. 6. Finally compare all the students Natural Water Filters to find who was able to make the lightest and most efficient prototype. Materials List Materials per group Amount Location 2 Liter Soda Bottles 2 Grocery Store Dirt About 4 Cups* Nursery Sand About 4 Cups* Nursery Rocks About 4 Cups* Nursery Gravel About 4 Cups* Nursery *Enough of these materials should be provided so that the groups may use as much as their designs require. This amount varies depending on the size of the class. Vocabulary with Definitions (in alphabetical order) 1. Filtration Passing liquid or gas through a porous material in order to separate the fluid from larger dissolved material. 2. Permeate To pass through the openings or interstices, i.e., the dissolved dirt in the dirty water solution could not permeate my Natural Water Filter. Assessment / Evaluation of Students The instructor may assess the students in any/all of the following manners: 1. Graded on participation. 2. Graded on final product (low weight). 3. Graded on effort. Lesson Extensions The above link is an excellent article about riverbed filtration research done by people at John Hopkins University. 3 of 6

4 Attachments 1. Natural Water Filter Transparency 2. Engineering Design Worksheet Troubleshooting Tips None Safety Issues Teachers should pre-cut the two liter bottles to avoid accidents with scissors. Additional Resources None Key Words Filtration, Permeate 4 of 6

5 Natural Water Filter

6 Engineering Design Process