Grades 4-6: Engineering Rockets and Rovers - Week 1

Grade: 4-6

Duration: 45 minutes

Topic: What is Engineering? (Tower Power)

Overview

Students are introduced to the concept of engineering and the Engineering Design Process (EDP) through a hands-on tower-building activity.

Objective

Introduce basic engineering concepts using hands-on building exercises.
Understand and apply the steps of the Engineering Design Process (EDP).
Reflect on the importance of building with purpose, guided by Catholic values.

Materials

Index cards, tape, stuffed animal, Engineering Journals, Chromebook/iPad.

Lesson Steps

1. Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

Begin with a prayer asking for guidance and wisdom in our learning and engineering journey.

Suggested Prayer:

“Dear God, thank You for the wonders of creation and for giving us the ability to explore and understand it. Help us use our knowledge to care for Your world. Amen.”

2. Introduction (10 minutes)

Discussion: Introduce engineering as solving problems to help others and God’s creation.
Connection to Faith: Relate engineering to stewardship, reflecting on how engineers build for the common good.

3. Main Activity (25 minutes)

Activity: Students design towers to hold a stuffed animal, practicing the EDP stages.
Catholic Integration: Reflect on the concept of building for God’s purpose and the community’s benefit.

Activity: Students draw or write about how their tower helped or could help others.
Sharing: Discuss the importance of building structures that serve communities.

Catholic Integration

Faith Connection: Building for the common good and making ethical decisions guided by faith.

Assessment

Participation: Observe how well students engage with the EDP and work in teams to create their towers..
Reflection: Assess students’ understanding of the connection between building and serving others in the community..

Closing Prayer (2 minutes)

End the lesson with a prayer thanking God for the opportunity to learn and explore.