The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (Learning Undefeated)

In this design challenge, students will receive a problem from the story The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. In the story, the wolf tells his side of the story of the The Three Little Pigs. The wolf was planning to bake a birthday cake for his grandma and needed to get a cup of sugar. However, on his journey he sneezes and blows down the homes of the three little pigs. The students will be presented with the following problem, “The eldest brother of the three little pigs is looking to rebuild the destroyed homes in his community after the sneezing wind disaster caused by the wolf.” Students will put on their engineering hats to help the eldest brother rebuild homes in the community. Students will engage in a STEM challenge to build a home in 25 minutes that can withstand the wolf’s sneeze for 5 seconds. Teams will receive bonus points if their home can withstand the wolf’s super sneeze for 5 seconds while protecting the pig inside.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to

Build a strong structure by applying an understanding of the physical properties of objects, and smaller units can be combined to make new objects
Classify building materials by their physical properties
Solve a problem using the engineering design process
Observe practical uses for rocks, soil, and water
Describe how humans use rocks, soil, and water
Count forward and backward to at least 20 with and without objects
Explore and collect many types of data such as preferences or daily routines of people, events, or objects.

Standards Alignment + Connections

Next Generation Science Standards

2-PS1-1- Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.

2-PS1-2: Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.

K-2-ETS1-1: Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

K-2-ETS1-2: Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards

Standards for Mathematics

K.MD.B: Classify objects and count the number of objects in each category

K.G.B: Analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes.

1.OA.C: Add and subtract within 20

2.MD.C: Work with time and money

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

2021 Science TEKS covered in this design challenge

Kinder TEKS: K.1.B, K.1.E, K.1.G, K.6.A, K.10.C, K.11.A
Grade 1 TEKS: 1.1.B, 1.1.E, 1.1.G, 1.6.A, 1.6.C. 1.11.A
Grade 2 TEKS: 2.1.B, 2.1.E, 2.1.G, 2.6.A, 2.6.B, 2.6.C

Math TEKS covered in this design challenge

Kinder TEKS: K.2.A, K.2.C, K.5, K.6.E
Grade 1 TEKS: 1.3.D, 1.3.E, 1.5.A
Grade 2 TEKS: 2.2.B, 2.4.A

Technology Applications TEKS covered in this design challenge

Grade 1 TEKS: 1.3.A, 1.3.B,1.5.A
Grade 2 TEKS: 2.3.A, 2.3.B, 2.5.A

ELAR TEKS covered in this design challenge

Kinder TEKS: K.7.C, K.8.A, K.8.E
Grade 1 TEKS: 1.1.D, 1.8.C, 1.9.A, 1.9.E
Grade 2 TEKS: 2.1.D, 2.6.C, 2.8.C, 2.9.A, 2.9.E

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