Science Lesson Kit · Teacher Resource
Severe Weather: Design a Wind-Safe Shelter — 5E Lesson Plan
Earth Science · 45 minutes
Grade 3
5E lesson flow
01
Engage
6 min
Teacher Does
Show a windy model-shelter picture and ask how wind might damage a roof.
Students Do
Point out what wind could lift.
Ask
- What might the wind push or lift?
Look For
Students name roof attachment as the problem.
02
Explore
13 min
Teacher Does
Show both roofs; mark fan speed and distance; demonstrate matched trials.
Students Do
Predict and record five passes per design.
Ask
- What stays the same?
- What changes?
Look For
Students count trials and use a controlled comparison.
03
Explain
8 min
Teacher Does
Introduce criterion, constraint and evidence using results 2/5 and 5/5.
Students Do
Use data to decide which roof meets both rules.
Ask
- Did either model meet both requirements?
Look For
B meets 4/5 target and 8-tab limit.
04
Elaborate
11 min
Teacher Does
Invite a connector revision; explain what a matched retest would require.
Students Do
Draw and justify one improved model connection.
Ask
- What would you change?
- What will stay the same?
Look For
One variable and a measurable plan.
05
Evaluate
7 min
Teacher Does
Use new rain-awning worksheet case and review safety limits.
Students Do
Apply an engineering claim to a different type of weather shelter.
Ask
- Can a model prove a real roof is safe?
Look For
Evidence-based answer with an explicit model limitation.
Student goal
I can test and improve a model shelter roof using success criteria, limits and evidence.
Learning objectives
- Describe how strong winds can damage a roof and why engineers test shelter connections.
- Identify a measurable success criterion and a materials constraint, and plan a fair fan test.
- Use repeated roof-test evidence to recommend and improve a model shelter without claiming it is storm-proof.
Materials
- Two identical cardboard model walls
- Two interchangeable paper roofs
- Paper connector tabs or painter's tape
- Battery-powered small fan operated by an adult
- Five-trial recording strips
- Pencils
Before class
- Cut identical roofs; vary ONLY the connectors.
- Mark one fixed fan position and a safe low fan setting.
- Prepare pre-recorded A: 2/5 with 6 tabs; B: 5/5 with 8 tabs as a fallback when equipment is unavailable.
- Never perform outdoor storm tests or use high-speed fans.
- Print worksheet and answer key separately.
Prior knowledge
- Wind is moving air and can push objects.
- Students can count successful trials to five.
Vocabulary
- hazard
- Something that may cause harm, such as strong wind.
- shelter
- A place or structure that helps protect people or animals.
- criterion
- What a successful design should do.
- constraint
- A limit on a design, such as materials.
- fair test
- A comparison that changes one factor while keeping other conditions alike.
- evidence
- Observations or measurements that support an explanation.
Differentiation
- Provide five empty boxes to mark each fan trial.
- Use icon cards for target and limit.
- Offer the sentence frame: 'I recommend __ because __ out of 5 and __ tabs.'
- For advanced students, compare two improved connector patterns with the same total material.
Assessment
- Observe fair-test planning.
- Check evidence includes both trial count and tab count.
- Check worksheet transfers the idea to a different rain-hazard scenario.
Exit ticket
Why did Model B meet BOTH requirements?
Extension
Invent a third joint, then plan a fair retest without promising a storm-proof roof.