Weather STEM: Hail Protection Engineering Challenge & Weather Science
Use the engineering design process to create a device that protects a “car” from hail damage. Student handouts are provided in printed and digital format (editable Google Slides).
Grades: 2nd - 8th
Teaching Duration: 90 minutes
Use the engineering design process to create a device that protects a “car” from hail damage. Student handouts are provided in printed and digital format (editable Google Slides).
Grades: 2nd - 8th
Teaching Duration: 90 minutes
Use the engineering design process to create a device that protects a “car” from hail damage. Student handouts are provided in printed and digital format (editable Google Slides).
Grades: 2nd - 8th
Teaching Duration: 90 minutes
“This was a fun and engaging engineering project to end our weather unit. I have several engineering projects that I use throughout the year and I will be keeping this in the rotation.”
lesson overview
Hail Protection STEM Engineering Design Challenge
Your mission: Use the engineering design process to create a device that protects a “car” from hail damage. Student handouts are provided in printed and digital format (editable Google Slides).
Science background: Students learn about the science of hail formation and shock absorption. This is a great activity to supplement weather science lessons!
Engineering Challenge: Using common materials, students design a hail-proof device to protect the aluminum foil car as the hail (rocks) hits it. A full teacher guide includes photos of student projects, video resources, and handouts to guide your students through the engineering design process to solve the challenge.
Recommended Supplies: aluminum foil cake pan, rocks, makers, paper, cardstock, index cards, straws, tape, craft sticks, cotton balls, and scissors.
STEM Real-World Connections: Background pages cover the following STEM careers: meteorologist and storm chasers. A handout is also provided on the worst hail storm in history.
As with many STEM activities that are student-driven, this challenge can be tailored to students of various skill levels and abilities.
Included in this product:
Detailed teachers guide with links to resources
Grading rubric for the engineering design process
STEM Career Connections
STEM Real-world Connection
Real-world STEM history and science handouts
Student handouts to guide them through the engineering design process
Editable Google Slides for a STEM Journal
Looking for more STEM lessons? Find the Vivify resource guide here: bit.ly/VivifyResourceGuide
