Search

This book is one of four books in the Science-by-Design Series created by TERC and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This series presents directed instruction on how to successfully formulate and carry out product design. Students learn and apply concepts in science and technology to design and build a pair of insulated gloves, a model boat, a greenhouse, and a catapult. This book engages high school students in a problem-solving challenge to design and build a physical system that provides an optimal environment for plant growth. In addition to learning and applying concepts in thermodynamics, light absorption, and plant biology, students must make a range of decisions as they encounter cost constraints, construction alternatives, and environmental changes. The activities have assessment suggestions and Internet extensions through the National Science Teachers Association's (NSTA) sciLINKS program. The activities are designed to meet the new International Technology Education Standards as well as the National Science Education Standards. Key ideas include: (1) "Transformation and Transfer of Energy"; (2) "Repurposing and Tradeoffs"; (3) "Plant Growth and Stages of Development"; and (4) "Inquiry and Design." Appendices contains inquiry and design processes, text reconstruction, law limiting factors, and species specifications to consider. (Contains a glossary and 25 references.) (CCM)