Lesson Summary

Students often have creative ideas for solving common problems. Their solutions are often limited to ideas rather than reality and a product. The goal of this activity is to develop the young learner from a creative thinker to a problem solver. In this activity, students will take an everyday problem and design a practical solution. Youngsters will consider how to keep a lunchbox cool during a trip to the beach.

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Essential Question

How does the amount of sunlight and heat change in areas that are shaded?

Concepts

The Sun produces heat.

Shading an object from the Sun can keep it cooler.

There are many devices that have been invented for shading buildings, cars, and objects.

Standards & Benchmarks

NATIONAL SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS

Standard E2, E3: Understanding about science and technology

• People have always had problems and invented tools and techniques (ways of doing something) to solve problems. Scientists and engineers often work in teams with different individuals doing different things that contribute to the results.

Standard D5: Objects in the sky

• The sun provides the light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the earth

BENCHMARKS FOR SCIENTIFIC LITERACY (AAAS PROJECT 2061)

Benchmark 8B: Materials and Manufacturing

• Several steps are usually involved in making things. Tools are used to help make things, and some things cannot be made without tools. Each kind of tool has a specific purpose.

Benchmark 1B: Scientific Inquiry

• Tools like thermometers often give more information about things than can be obtained by just observing things without their help.

Benchmark 4E: Energy Transformation

• The sun warms the land, air and water

Benchmark 1C: The Scientific Enterprise

• Everybody can do science and invent things and ideas

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