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Computational Thinking: Decomposition and Design for Grades 6-8

Written by equip team | May 17, 2019 2:30:00 PM

Lesson Title: Egg-cellent Egg Drop 

Grade Levels: 6-8 

Length of Lesson: 120 minutes 

Overview: Students work in groups to design solutions to for an egg-drop experiment. They will use an iterative process to test and modify their solutions. 

Standards Alignment: 

Science 

  • Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. 
  • Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. 
  • Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. 
  • Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

Social and Emotional Learning 

  • Identify and apply ways to persevere or overcome barriers through alternative methods to achieve one’s goals 
  • Utilize positive communication and social skills to interact effectively with others 

Computer Science 

  • Develop resilience and perseverance when approaching CS and CT learning experiences, build comfort with ambiguity and open-ended problems, and see failure as an opportunity to learn and innovate. 
  • Decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs 
  • Seek and incorporate feedback from team members and users to refine a solution that meets user needs.