Grades 4-6: Engineering Rockets and Rovers - Week 2

Grade: 4-6

Duration: 45 minutes

Topic: What is Technology? (Technology Detectives)

Overview

Students explore the broad definition of technology and investigate everyday objects to determine their purpose.

Objective

Expand the understanding of technology beyond electronic devices.
Identify technologies in everyday life that solve problems.
Reflect on the Catholic call to use technology for the common good.

Materials

Everyday objects, 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: Discuss what technology means and its role in solving problems.
Connection to Faith: Relate the creation and use of technology to stewardship and ethical responsibility.

3. Main Activity (25 minutes)

Activity: Students investigate objects to determine if they are technologies based on their purpose.
Catholic Integration: Reflect on how technology can be used ethically to help others.

Activity: Students write about a technology that impacts their life positively.
Sharing: Discuss how the identified technologies serve communities and the environment.

Catholic Integration

Faith Connection: Using technology to improve the world and serve others responsibly.

Assessment

Participation: Observe how well students participate in discussions and accurately identify technologies..
Reflection: Assess students’ understanding of their understanding of technology as a tool for serving God’s creation..

Closing Prayer (2 minutes)

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