Design Brief Topics - High School Science

HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE SOL TOPICS FOR DESIGN BRIEFS

Earth Science

As with Biology, the emphasis for Design Briefs would be the design and construction of models and simulations.  These models would demonstrate a student’s understanding of a process (soil development, plate tectonics) or a cycle (the rock cycle).  The use of electronics and coding (the Hummingbird Kits or Arduinos) would allow the models or simulations to incorporate movement and interactivity.  These activities lend themselves particularly well to assessments. 

ES.7 The student will investigate and understand geologic processes including plate tectonics. Key concepts include

a) geologic processes and their resulting features; and

b) tectonic processes.

ES.8 The student will investigate and understand how freshwater resources are influenced by geologic processes and the activities of humans. Key concepts include

a) processes of soil development;

b) development of karst topography;

c) relationships between groundwater zones, including saturated and unsaturated zones, and the water table;

f) identification of the major watershed systems in Virginia, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

ES.9 The student will investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils. Key concepts include

a) traces and remains of ancient, often extinct, life are preserved by various means in many sedimentary rocks;

b) superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay are methods of dating bodies of rock;

Materials for these tasks could include:

-        Hobby motors

-        Solar cells

-        Wire, soldering kits

-        LED’s

-        Circuit components

-        3D printers and 3D design software

-        Hummingbird Kits and Arduinos

-        Recyclable building materials (plastic bottles, cardboard)

-        Tape, foil, string, glue

Example Design Briefs:

-        Building an accurate diorama for an index fossil’s environment during its life

-        Process of Soil Development

Biology

Almost every SOL for this course would be a good topic for a Design Brief focused on models or simulations.  One example that would work particularly well with an approach having students design and build models and simulations would be:

BIO.5 The student will investigate and understand common mechanisms of inheritance and protein synthesis. Key concepts include

a) cell growth and division;

b) gamete formation;

c) cell specialization;

g) the structure, function, and replication of nucleic acids;

h) events involved in the construction of proteins;

The Design Briefs for these topics would also provide excellent opportunities for assessments.

Materials for these tasks could include:

-        Hobby motors

-        Wire, soldering kits

-        LED’s

-        Circuit components

-        3D printers and 3D design software

-        Hummingbird Kits and Arduinos

-        Recyclable building materials (plastic bottles, cardboard)

-        Tape, foil, string, glue

Example Design Briefs:

-        Building an interactive model of cell division

-        Building an interactive model of protein construction

 Chemistry

Chemistry provides a number of opportunities for Design Briefs that require students to design and construct simulations and interactive models of a number of important processes.  Another possible topic would be the design and construction of lab equipment/materials.

CH.3 The student will investigate and understand how conservation of energy and matter is expressed in chemical formulas and balanced equations. Key concepts include

a) nomenclature;

b) balancing chemical equations;

c) writing chemical formulas;

d) bonding types;

e) reaction types; and

f) reaction rates, kinetics, and equilibrium.

CH.5 The student will investigate and understand that the phases of matter are explained by kinetic theory and forces of attraction between particles. Key concepts include

a) pressure, temperature, and volume;

b) partial pressure and gas laws;

c) vapor pressure;

d) phase changes;

e) molar heats of fusion and vaporization;

f) specific heat capacity; and

g) colligative properties.

Materials for these tasks could include:

-        Hobby motors

-        Wire, soldering kits

-        LED’s

-        Circuit components

-        3D printers and 3D design software

-        Hummingbird Kits and Arduinos

-        Recyclable building materials (plastic bottles, cardboard)

-        Tape, foil, string, glue

Example Design Briefs:

-        Balancing Equations and Conservation of Matter – Leanna

Physics

As with Chemistry, there are many opportunities to develop Design Briefs that focus on students designing and constructing models and simulations of important processes.  The use of arduinos, circuit components, and Discover Electronics kits will provide students the opportunity to address authentic, real-world problems in designing and building complex circuits as well as devices that demonstrate energy transfer. 

PH.7 The student will investigate and understand that energy can be transferred and transformed to provide usable work. Key concepts include

a) transfer and storage of energy among systems including mechanical, thermal, gravitational, electromagnetic, chemical, and nuclear systems; and

b) efficiency of systems.

PH.11 The student will investigate and understand how to diagram, construct, and analyze basic electrical circuits and explain the function of various circuit components. Key concepts include

a) Ohm’s law;

b) series, parallel, and combined circuits;

c) electrical power; and

d) alternating and direct currents.

Materials for these tasks could include:

-        Hobby motors

-        Wire, soldering kits

-        LED’s

-        Circuit components

-        3D printers and 3D design software

-        Hummingbird Kits, Discovery kits and Arduinos

-        Recyclable building materials (plastic bottles, cardboard)

-        Tape, foil, string, glue

Example Design Briefs:

-        Building a DC Motor – Hai