1. Frankenstein Tomato Plants (FTP)
Hands-on Engineering Design
Middle School Life Science
Full Lesson
Reading Activity
Exploration Activities
Design Activity
Hands-on exercise featuring the Engineering Design Process for learning Physical Science
In this engineering lesson, students are asked to design and build a coaster car for the character Toad from the children’s literature classic The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. The ultimate goal is to build a car that travels as far and straight as possible.

2. FTP: Group Packet Lesson Plan Reading We’ll read through and discuss
Vocab Alert!
Exploration Activity
Design Activity
Design Results
We’ll read through and discuss
Our focus today

3. FTP: Today's Activity
Review the Activity Handouts starting with reading handout
Discuss and Complete the Problem and Criteria and Constraints Sections
Sketch Two Initial Designs
Build Prototypes
Analyze
Clean up

4. Rootstock Seedlings

5. Heirloom Seedlings
Heirlooms can be planted two to a pot.

6. Deli Container Set up
Water Reservoir

7. Reflector Lamp Set Up

8. Cutting Technique
Cut stems against a hard surface.

9. Horizontal Graft
Graft
Scar

10. Vertical Graft
Graft

11. Vertical Graft After
Successful graft but lots of vascular tissue indicating a poor cut.

12. Failed Graft
In this case the grafted seedlings were too small for the clip. As a result the connection between the two plants was loose and never fused.

13. Cleft Graft

14. Cleft Graft After
Front View
Side View

15. Side Graft
For side grafts a rootstock and heirloom should be planted in the same pot.

16. Reusable Rootstock
If the first grafting attempt fails, many rootstocks can be reused.
In this picture the rootstock is starting grow new leaves indicating its viability.

17. Grafting Chamber

18. FTP Reflection How will your students identify the science involved?
What factors affect successful grafting the most?
Which designs were the most effective? Why??
What was the most difficult part of this activity?
What could be done to improve it?
25' reflection and grade level discussion (slides 7 & 8); 10' share out

19. Small Group Discussion
Characteristics and benefits of Engineering Design.
How does the Engineering Design Process differ from Science Inquiry?
What other activities can you modify to use Engineering Design?
Problems you anticipate and how to resolve them?
Biggest roadblock to using the Engineering Design Process?
25' reflection and grade level discussion (slides 7 & 8); 10' share out