< Back to Library
What this lesson includes
-
-
Real-World Example
-
Coding Tutorial
-
Assessment
Overview Accordion
Learning Goals
- Explain the causes and impacts of flooding during extreme weather events.
- Describe the function and components of a sump pump system.
- Design and build a model sump pump system using the Climate Action Kit.
- Use sensors and code to automate the activation of the sump pump in response to rising water levels.
- Analyze the effectiveness of their design and propose improvements.
Preparation Accordion
Login or create an account to
view this content
Materials
- Climate Action Kit
- micro:bit V2
- Computer with access to Microsoft MakeCode
- Water-tight container partially filled with water
- Water-tight container partially filled with dirt
Get to Know the Content
- Make sure you've completed our 'Getting Started with the Climate Action Kit' professional development series
- If it has been a while, review the kit components featured in this lesson:
- Review the lesson, particularly the following thinking routines from Project Zero (Harvard Graduate School of Education):
Activity Accordion
Login or create an account to
view this content
Big Idea (15 minutes)
Students will:
- explain how the rise in extreme weather events is linked to climate change
- explore how extreme weather events overwhelm groundwater systems
- describe the functions and components of a sump pump system
Take Action (30 minutes)
Students will use the Climate Action Kit to design, build, and code their own sump pump model. The device will use a moisture sensor and water pump to simulate how water is moved from a home to be absorbed outdoors by soil or city systems.
We've provided 3 ways students may build the project to support scaffolding and differentiation in your classroom: 'Use', 'Modify', and 'Create'.*
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Use |
Students follow a tutorial to build and test a sump pump model to detect rising water levels in a home. Success CriteriaI can:
ResourcesTutorialFinal Code |
| Modify |
Students will follow a tutorial to build their sump pump model and enhance its behaviour with more advanced programming concepts. Success CriteriaI can:
ResourcesTutorialFinal Code |
| Create |
Create a sump pump that removes water from the basement and relocates it to the yard. Success CriteriaI can build a sump pump model using the Climate Action Kit that is:
ResourcesBlank Project |
*Irene Lee, Fred Martin, Jill Denner, Bob Coulter, Walter Allan, Jeri Erickson, Joyce Malyn-Smith, and Linda Werner. 2011. Computational thinking for youth in practice. Acm Inroads 2, 1 (2011), 32–37.
Assessment Accordion
Login or create an account to
view this content
Use the following criteria to assess student learning. Students can:
Conversations
- Can students describe the relationship between extreme weather events and climate change?
- Can students describe the parts that make up a sump pump?
- Can students explain a plumber’s role in disaster management within a city or urban environment?
- Can students explain how the sensors work in their model? (Use, Modify, Create)
Observations
- Do students methodically test and debug their model? (Modify, Create)
- Do students make predictions about what certain segments of the code are responsible for and test those predictions (Use, Modify)
Products
- Students annotate their code to explain how it works (Use, Modify, Create)
- Add to the model to improve the functionality of the sump pump model (Modify)
- Student-created models meet the design criteria outlined in the lesson (Create)
Standards Accordion
Login or create an account to
view this content
Next Generation Science Standards
Grade 6 - 8
MS-ESS3-2: Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects.
MS-ETS1-1: Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Computer Science Teachers Association Standards
Grade 6-8
2-AP-12: Design and iteratively develop programs that combine control structures, including nested loops and compound conditionals.
2-AP-17: Systematically test and refine programs using a range of test cases.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
Grade 6
6.RP.A.3 Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems, e.g., by reasoning about tables of equivalent ratios, tape diagrams, double number line diagrams, or equations.
6.EE.A.1 Write and evaluate numerical expressions involving whole-number exponents.
6.EE.A.2 Write, read, and evaluate expressions in which letters stand for numbers.
6.EE.B.6 Use variables to represent numbers and write expressions when solving a real-world or mathematical problem; understand that a variable can represent an unknown number, or, depending on the purpose at hand, any number in a specified set.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Common Core Technical Career Standards
STEM Cluster: Engineering & Technology Career Pathway
ST-ET 1.3 Use computer applications to solve problems by creating and using algorithms, and through simulation and modeling techniques.
ST-ET 2.1 Select and use information technology tools to collect, analyze, synthesize and display data to solve problems.
ST-ET 3.1 Use knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools necessary for engineering practice.
ST-ET 3.2 Describe the elements of good engineering practice (e.g., understanding customer needs, planning requirements analysis, using appropriate engineering tools, prototyping, testing, evaluating and verifying).
ST-ET 3.4 Illustrate the ability to characterize a plan and identify the necessary engineering tools that will produce a technical solution when given a problem statement.
ST-ET 4.1 Explain why and how the contributions of great innovators are important to society.
ST-ET 4.2 Explain the elements and steps of the design process and tools or techniques that can be used for each step.
ST-ET 4.3 Describe design constraints, criteria, and trade-offs in regard to variety of conditions (e.g., technology, cost, safety, society, environment, time, human resources, manufacturability).
ST-ET 5.1 Apply the design process using appropriate modeling and prototyping, testing, verification and implementation techniques.
ST-ET 5.2 Demonstrate the ability to evaluate a design or product and improve the design using testing, modeling and research.
ST-ET 5.3 Demonstrate the ability to record and organize information and test data during design evaluation.
STEM Cluster: Science and Math Career Pathway
ST-SM 1.1 Apply science and mathematics concepts and principles to resolve plans, projects, processes, issues or problems through methods of inquiry.
ST-SM 1.2 Use the skills and abilities in science and mathematics to access, share, and use data to develop plans, processes, projects and solutions.
ST-SM 1.3 Use the skills and abilities in science and mathematics to integrate solutions related to technical or engineering activities using the content and concepts related to the situations.
ST-SM 1.4 Explain the role of modeling in science and engineering.
ST-SM 1.6 Communicate with others on inquiry or resolution of issues/problems in the global community.
ST-SM 2.1 Demonstrate the ability to recognize cause and effect when faced with assigned projects or issues.
ST-SM 3.1 Evaluate the impact of science on society based on products and processes used in the real world.
ST-SM 3.3 Research how science and mathematics influence the professions and occupations supported by the STEM Career Cluster.
Information Technology Cluster: Programming & Software Development Career Pathway
IT-PRG 4.1 Employ tools in developing software applications.
IT-PRG 6.1 Explain programming language concepts.
IT-PRG 6.3 Demonstrate proficiency in developing an application using an appropriate programming language.
IT-PRG 7.1 Develop a software test plan.
IT-PRG 7.2 Perform testing and validation.