Water Pipeline STEM Engineering Design Challenge | 4th Grade STEM Trailblazers

Water Pipeline STEM Engineering Design Challenge | 4th Grade STEM Trailblazers

In this unit, students explore how clean water is transported to communities. They begin by learning about natural water towers, such as mountains and glaciers, and then investigate how people use water towers and pipelines to deliver clean water to homes, schools, and hospitals.

Inspired by the true story of Ellen Swallow Richards, a chemist and environmental engineer, students discover how scientists and engineers work to improve access to clean water for everyone.

Through hands-on investigations, students collect data by testing how the height of a water tower affects water flow. They use their findings to make evidence-based engineering decisions as they design, build, test, and improve a water tower and pipeline system that delivers water to two different locations.

Throughout the challenge, students take on the roles of scientists and engineers, using the engineering design process, scientific observations, and problem-solving skills to create innovative solutions for transporting clean water.

Students Will Learn:

• What a natural water tower is

• To name one type of new technology we are using to get clean water

• Which materials for their water tower is most effective

• Which material is best at reducing water leakage

• How math is helpful in describing their design

• How to collect and analyze data to improve their design

• AND MORE!

STEM Trailblazers Storyline (Adaptable for Grades 3 - 5): Welcome, Trailblazers. As a park ranger, our job is to protect wild places, keep ecosystems healthy, and teach visitors how to care for the land. But the challenges are growing due to climate change, pollution, endangered species and more! We need the next generation of rangers… that’s you.History’s Explorers: Throughout history, there have been trailblazers—people who dared to explore, discover, and protect the natural world. From early navigators who mapped volcanoes and rivers, to today’s scientists who use satellites to track climate change, these trailblazers show us how curiosity and courage can change the future.

History’s Explorers: Throughout history, there have been trailblazers—people who dared to explore, discover, and protect the natural world. From early navigators who mapped volcanoes and rivers, to today’s scientists who use satellites to track climate change, these trailblazers show us how curiosity and courage can change the future.

Modern Innovators: You will walk in their footsteps, face the challenges of Earth’s systems, including land, water, air, and life, and design solutions for a sustainable tomorrow.

Engineering Learning Goals in this unit include:

• Real-World Connections: Learn about natural and man made water towers and explain what a Water Engineer does.

• Making: Build a functioning model using common materials that can transport water from a water tower to 2 buildings.

• Habits of Mind: Define the criteria and constraints of the engineering problem, use data and research to inform design decisions, and evaluate design performance and identify ways to improve.

• Science: Explore materials to find out if height makes a difference in water movement through a simple pipeline.

• Technology: Learn different technologies to collect and distribute water for human use.

• Math: Collecting data to make informed design decisions.

Included in this product:

• Aligned to: NGSS, TEKS, and ITEEA Standards

• Complete Teacher Guide following the engineering design process

• Materials list and activity suggestions

• Editable teaching slides

• Student handouts for each phase of the design process, including science background, STEM career connection, and more!

• Two versions of student badges for completing the mission: pre-colored or a black and white option for students to color themselves to celebrate!

Recommended Supplies

Student Materials:

• Plastic cups (avoid paper cups)

• Cardboard

• Card stock

• Modeling clay

• Large straws (smoothie size)

• Bendy straws

• Popsicle sticks

• Paper clips

• Tape, scissors, ruler

Testing Materials:

• Water

• Towel for any water spills

2021 Science TEKS Standards Alignment (Texas)

• Practices: 4.1A, 4.1B, 4.1D, 4.1E, 4.1G; 4.2A, 4.2B, 4.2C, 4.2D; 4.3A

• Content: 4.7A