ERIC Number: EJ1211300
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Apr
Pages: 8
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
From Global to Local
Kye, Hannah
Science and Children, v56 n8 p46-53 Apr 2019
In this article, second graders learn the basics of engineering through an exploration of magnetic levitation (maglev) technology. The author designed and taught the lessons to a class of 26 students enrolled in a month-long summer science program. The maglev lessons took place over three mornings (15 minutes for the first lesson and 40 minutes each for the second and third lessons) at the end of a unit on electricity and magnetism. Each afternoon, students had 45 additional minutes of "tinker time" to work on the projects in the lesson series. Aligned with current research and standards emphasizing inquiry in elementary science classrooms, tinker time provided students with a reserved block of time to "think with their hands," or to think about problems and solutions within their science topic through playful, handson, and child-led experimentation (NGSS Lead States 2013; Vossoughi and Bevan 2014). The objectives of the lesson series included: (1) Students will gather information on how scientists are using maglev technology to solve problems in other countries; (2) Students will apply the engineering design process to solve local problems using ideas from around the world; and (3) Students will evaluate and defend possible solutions.
Descriptors: Grade 2, Engineering Education, Magnets, Summer Science Programs, Energy, Science Activities, Elementary School Science, Elementary School Students, Hands on Science, Science Instruction, Scientific Concepts, Teaching Methods, Learner Engagement, Science Experiments
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Grade 2; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A