Students investigate how plant and animal structures support survival, growth, behavior, reproduction, and sensory responses, beginning with a virtual-reality habitat exploration and board-game preview. Through Mystery Science investigations and field-log observations, they gather evidence about how organisms sense information, process it, and respond. Teams identify a habitat challenge, brainstorm solutions, and iteratively design and test LEGO models, game mechanics, and 3D-printed pieces, using setbacks as feedback. They create a makerspace-built board game with structure-and-survival challenges, then observe fifth graders play and use player feedback to explain and refine their scientific models.

Students will explain how plant and animal internal and external structures support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. They will use close observations and field-log evidence to describe how animals sense information, process it in the brain, and respond through body structures and behaviors. Students will design, test, and refine LEGO models, challenge spaces, and 3D-printed game pieces that accurately represent structure-function relationships. They will collaborate through setbacks and use feedback to create a scientifically accurate board game that fifth-grade students can play.

Students will create field logs with detailed observations, labeled sketches, and evidence explaining how plant and animal structures support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. Teams will use Mystery Science investigations and LEGO kits to build and test models showing how organisms sense information, process it in the brain, and respond. Each team will design a playable board game with structure-and-survival challenge spaces, rules, and 3D-printed game pieces, refining prototypes based on testing and feedback. Fifth-grade students will play the finished games and provide feedback on their scientific accuracy, clarity, and playability.

Students rotate through short virtual-reality scenes to closely observe plant structures, animal behaviors, and how animals sense and respond to habitat challenges. In teams, they record evidence through labeled sketches and notes in a field log, then discuss which internal and external structures support survival, growth, behavior, or reproduction. Introduce the real-world challenge: design an accurate, engaging board game that teaches fifth graders how living things survive and respond to their environments. Reveal a sample board game and invite students to identify how LEGO models, challenge spaces, and 3D-printed pieces could represent structures and survival strategies.

Host a “Survival Game Expo” where fifth-grade students rotate through and play the board games in small groups. Fourth-grade designers introduce their 3D-printed pieces, explain how challenge spaces model plant and animal structures, senses, brain processing, responses, survival, and reproduction, and use field logs or LEGO models as evidence. Visiting players provide feedback on scientific accuracy, clarity, and playability, while each design team records one success and one possible improvement. End with a gallery walk celebrating creative solutions, collaboration, and prototype revisions.