Eco-Crate Homes: Cardboard Creations!

5th Grade Project 1 week

Eco-Crate Homes: Cardboard Creations!

Davy G

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Purpose

Design and build a model of an eco-friendly house using recycled materials like cardboard to explore sustainable living practices. Investigate how different elements of a house contribute to energy efficiency and environmental impact. Engage in hands-on activities to learn about air movement and its role in house design. Collaborate with classmates to create a presentation showcasing your designs and understanding of house structures.

Learning goals

Investigate how the structure and design of a house can impact energy efficiency and sustainability. Explore the use of recycled materials, like cardboard, to construct a model of an eco-friendly house. Analyze the movement of air through different parts of the house model to understand ventilation and insulation. Develop skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking by working with classmates to complete the project.

Standards

NGSS - 5-PS1-3: Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
NGSS - 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth's resources and environment.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.A.1: Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system, and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real-world problems.

Products

Create a detailed model of an eco-friendly house using recycled cardboard and other sustainable materials, showcasing design elements that promote energy efficiency and environmental consciousness. Develop a Canvas presentation that explains the functions of each part of the house and highlights sustainable living practices. Facilitate a gallery walk where you can view and provide feedback on each other's models and presentations, focusing on creativity, functionality, and sustainability.

Launch

Begin by inviting a local architect or environmental engineer to share insights about eco-friendly house designs and sustainable living practices. Engage in a hands-on activity where you explore different recycled materials, discussing their potential uses in building a model house. This will spark curiosity and set the stage for designing and constructing your own eco-friendly house model using cardboard and other recycled materials.

Exhibition

Organize an Eco-Friendly House Showcase where you present your cardboard house models to classmates, teachers, and community members. Facilitate a gallery walk where you can view and provide feedback on each other's designs, focusing on the sustainable features incorporated. Use your Canvas presentation to explain the elements and functions of your house model, highlighting how it demonstrates sustainable living practices. Prepare to answer questions and discuss the choices made in your design, emphasizing the use of recycled materials.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Discover Stage - Introduction to Eco-Friendly Houses: Begin with a presentation by a local architect discussing sustainable house designs and materials (20 min) Discover Stage - Exploring Recycled Materials: Engage in a hands-on activity to investigate different recycled materials suitable for building a model house (20 min) Discover Stage - Reflection Circle: Share insights and personal connections gained from today's activities (20 min)	Examine Stage - Question Generation: Collaboratively generate questions about eco-friendly house designs and the use of recycled materials (15 min) Examine Stage - Research and Investigate: Watch videos and read articles on sustainable living practices and house elements that enhance energy efficiency (25 min) Examine Stage - Seminar Discussion: Participate in a seminar-style discussion to explore diverse perspectives and refine your understanding of house design features (20 min)	Engineer Stage - Hypothesis Development: Formulate a hypothesis predicting how your cardboard house model will demonstrate sustainable practices (15 min) Engineer Stage - Plan Creation: Develop a detailed plan for building, testing, and refining your house model, including criteria for success (25 min) Engineer Stage - Peer Feedback: Share your plan with peers and receive T.A.G. Feedback to improve your strategy (20 min)	Do Stage - Build and Test: Begin constructing your eco-friendly house model using recycled materials, documenting the process with photos or videos (30 min) Do Stage - Data Collection Plan: Outline how you will gather data to measure the success and impact of your house model (15 min) Do Stage - Team Reflection: Discuss the effectiveness and interactions with your house model, considering ways to scale the solution (15 min)	Share Stage - Understanding Check: Complete a standards-aligned quiz to assess your understanding of the key concepts (15 min) Share Stage - Presentation Preparation: Collaboratively design and build your Canvas presentation, selecting relevant content and evidence (25 min) Share Stage - Rehearsal and Feedback: Rehearse your presentation as a team and receive T.A.G. Feedback to make final improvements (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A completed model of an eco-friendly house using recycled cardboard and other sustainable materials. 2. A Canvas presentation explaining the functions and sustainable features of your house model.
Preparation	1. Coordinate a guest speaker session with a local architect or environmental engineer. 2. Gather recycled materials like cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, and other items that can be used for constructing house models. 3. Provide sketching materials such as pencils, erasers, and graph paper for initial design ideas. 4. Set up materials for the Canvas presentation, including access to computers or tablets with internet connection. 5. Arrange the classroom for the Eco-Friendly House Showcase, ensuring space for displaying models and facilitating the gallery walk.