1. Big Shanty students are
Welcome to STEM Day!
Big Shanty students are
Scientists
Tech Experts
Engineers
Mathematicians

2. Today, we will be engineers and follow the design engineering process to solve a problem!

3. So let’s begin by identifying the problem!
Water is flooding STEM Town, and the mayor has asked for you to put your engineering skills to good use. You need to design and build a levee which will prevent rising flood waters from reaching the town.

4. STEM Day Challenge: 9/1/17
Problem: STEM Town is flooding. A levee must be built to control flood waters.
Research:
Write any notes in this space as you learn more about flooding and levees.

5. To solve this problem, we need to know more!
What causes flooding and how can we prevent it? com/science/earthsyst em/floods/ Take some notes in your notebook as you watch!

6. Turn and Talk
What did you learn about flooding and flood control?

7. To solve this problem, we need to know more!
What is a levee? Like dams, levees have a simple but important job: they hold back water. People build levees to keep rivers or lakes from flooding low-lying land during storms. Levees and dikes can be made of dirt, cement, or stacked stones. They are built along the edges of the body of water they hold back. They must be wide enough so that they will not collapse or wear away under pressure from the water. Take some notes in your notebook!

8. To solve this problem, we need to know more!
What does a levee look like?

9. To solve this problem, we need to know more!
What is a levee? AeOiI Take some notes in your notebook as you watch!

10. Turn and Talk
What is a levee?

11. How will we build our levee?
Our Job: Design and build a levee which will prevent rising flood waters from reaching the STEM town.
Materials our team may use:
1 plastic bin in which you will build the levee
Sand (about 1-2 cups)
20 Craft sticks
1 Sponge
10 Cotton balls
Zip-top bags
Rocks (about 1 cup)
1 foot Duct Tape

12. Criteria and Constraints
1. The levee must be contained inside the box
2. The levee must prevent flood waters from reaching the opposite side of the box
3. The levee must be constructed from approved materials
4. Calculate the area and perimeter of the levee.
Constraints:
Complete the challenge within the time allotted.
You may only use the materials provided.
1 plastic bin in which you will build the levee
Sand (about 1-2 cups)
20 Craft sticks
1 Sponge
10 Cotton balls
Zip-top bags
Rocks (about 1 cup)
2 feet Duct Tape

13. Materials your team may use:
STEM Day Challenge: 9/1/17
Materials your team may use:
1 plastic bin in which you will build the levee
Sand (about 1-2 cups)
20 Craft sticks
1 Sponge
10 Cotton balls
Zip-top bags
Rocks (about 1 cup)
1 foot Duct Tape
Sketch your thoughts about how you will design a levee using the available materials. Label your sketch.

14. What else do I need to know?
What causes levees to fail? 68E Take some notes in your notebook as you watch!

15. Turn and Talk What causes levees to fail?
How does that impact our levee design plan?

16. Materials your team may use:
STEM Day Challenge: 9/1/17
Materials your team may use:
1 plastic bin in which you will build the levee
Sand (about 1-2 cups)
20 Craft sticks
1 Sponge
10 Cotton balls
Zip-top bags
Rocks (about 1 cup)
1 foot Duct Tape
Now that you know more about what causes levees to fail, what adjustments need to be made to your original sketch?

17. Assign roles to team members
Team Time
Assign roles to team members
Challenge Captain
Makes sure everyone’s voice is heard in group discussions
Makes final decisions as needed
Chief Architect
Makes sure everyone plays a role in building the prototype
Materials Master
Collects and returns all materials
Testing Coordinator
Responsible for testing the prototype when it is time
Rapid Reporter
Speaks for the team when presenting the design to the class or answering visitors’ questions

18. Design & Plan: Collaborate
Each member of your team should share their ideas
Choose or combine the BEST ideas that you think will be the MOST successful

19. Materials your team may use:
STEM Day Challenge: 9/1/17
Materials your team may use:
1 plastic bin in which you will build the levee
Sand (about 1-2 cups)
20 Craft sticks
1 Sponge
10 Cotton balls
Zip-top bags
Rocks (about 1 cup)
1 foot Duct Tape
1. Now that your team has decided on a team design, each member of the team should draw a sketch and label each part.
2. Make an exact list of the materials you will need for this design, and get it approved by your teacher.

20. CREATE your Prototype!
Teacher must approve materials list before collecting materials
Only the Materials Manager can gather materials listed on the plan
Building MUST match what is on the group plan
Chief Architect should make sure everyone plays a role in building the prototype.

21. Questions to Ask Yourself?
Does my prototype meet ALL constraints and criteria?
Am I certain my levee will work before testing? Have I checked all areas to make sure it is stable, secure and waterproof?
What improvements can be made before testing?
Does my plan match my prototype?

22. Share Challenge Designs
Rapid Reporter
Testing Coordinator
Describe your team’s design
WHY did you choose this design?
What problems did you encounter & how did your team solve them?
Did any modifications have to be made?
What would your team do differently if you had to do this again?
Show us how the design works

23. STEM Day Challenge: 9/1/17
Now that your prototype and others have been tested, what changes would you make if you were able to rebuild and try this again?

24. Design Engineering Process
Team Design
Gather
Research &
Background
Information
Brainstorm
Identify the
problem
Make Improvements
Create
Design Engineering Process
Evaluate
Share / Present

25. Related Standards Science:
S5CS6. Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively
b. Identify when comparisons might not be fair because some conditions are different.
S5E1. Students will identify surface features of the Earth caused by constructive and destructive processes
c. Relate the role of technology and human intervention in the control of constructive and destructive processes. Examples include, but are not limited to flood control