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Storyline Narrative 8.1.7

Design, construct, and test a device that can affect the rate of a phase change. Compare and identify the best characteristics of competing devices and modify them based on data analysis to improve the device to better meet the criteria for success.


In episode one students are introduced to a problem in which they must slow the transfer of heat that is causing a phase changes for which they will engineer a solution. You will explain to them that a film canister person needs to have a home built that is energy efficient. During episode two the students will conduct research to obtain and evaluate information about how others have solved the problem of energy efficient homes. They will engage in activities to explore ways heat transfer can cause a phase change to occur. They will test and evaluate different methods that have been used to insulate homes. In episode three students will use the knowledge they gained from their research by designing 3 possible solutions to the engineering problem. With their partner they will choose one of their designs. They will build a prototype of their design and test it. They will will analyze the data they gathered from testing their prototypes. In episode four the groups will propose modifications to their design based on their results from the first test. They will complete the modifications and then test their new design. They will analyze the modifications then compare and identify the best characteristics of the competing models.

Conceptual Understandings

There is a narrow range of temperatures in which humans can survive. They become uncomfortable when it is too hot or too cold. Homes must be engineered so that they prevent transfer of heat.

How have people solved this problem in the past?

Snapshot

Students are introduced to a problem in which they must slow the transfer of heat that is causing a phase change for which they will engineer a solution. They will develop a design for an energy efficient home.

Episode 1

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Question

How can we slow down a phase change?

Anchor 1

Episode 2

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Question

How have people made homes energy efficient in the past?

Snapshot

Students will conduct research to obtain and evaluate information about how others have solved the problem of energy efficient homes. They will engage in activities to explore ways heat transfer can cause a phase change to occur. They will test and evaluate different methods that have been used to insulate homes.

Conceptual Understandings

People use insulators to prevent heat from entering or leaving their homes.

How can we manipulate the rate of the transfer to make our building more energy efficient?

Anchor 2

Conceptual Understandings

Some materials and conditions are better than others to slow down the transfer of heat.

Which materials should we choose to build an energy-efficient home?

Snapshot

Students will use the knowledge they gained from their research by designing 3 possible solutions to the engineering problem. With their partner they will choose one of their designs. They will build a prototype of their design and test it. They will will analyze the data they gathered from testing their prototypes.

Episode 3

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Question

How can we make a home energy efficient?

Anchor 3

Episode 4 & Final Assessment

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Question

What materials should we use to build an energy-efficient home?

Snapshot

Student groups will propose modifications to their design based on their results from the first test. They will complete the modifications and then test their new design. They will analyze the modifications then compare and identify the best characteristics of the competing models.

Conceptual Understandings

Some materials work better than others for making a home energy efficient.

Anchor 4
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