Innovation and Design in 2nd Grade

I had the opportunity to collaborate on a project with our ELA/Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Melissa Bettencourt and second grade teachers Kristen LeVangie and Stacey Begin to plan an “Innovation and Design” project in 2nd Grade Social Studies.  The title of the project is “Mississippi River Flotilla Project”.

Second graders learn world and United States history, geography, economics, and government by studying more about who Americans are and where they came from. They explore their own family’s history and learn about distinctive achievements, customs, events, places, or landmarks from long ago and from around the world. The chief purpose of the grade 2 curriculum is to help students understand that American citizenship embraces all kinds of people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and national origin. American students come from all countries and continents in the world. A history and social science curriculum should help students acquire a common understanding of American history, its political principles, and its system of government in order to prepare them for responsible participation in our schools and civic life.

Assignment to students -

To build a transportation barge that will carry cargo on the Mississippi River. 

You are an engineer that works for a company that makes copper pans. The company makes the copper pans in Minnesota then ships them by barge down the Mississippi to New Orleans, LA where they are loaded onto a ship and shipped to China to be sold. The company wants to be able to put a lot of Copper pans on a barge at the same time. 

Your challenge is going to build a barge that will carry the most copper pans down the flowing Mississippi River without sinking or getting stuck.

Brainstorming and Designing

Students worked in groups to brainstorm different ideas for the design of their boat.  

Building the Boat

Students worked in groups to design and build their  boat.  They stayed within their budget when buying supplies.

Testing the Structure

Each boat was tested by travelling down the “Mississippi River” (in a metal gutter) carrying pennies that represents copper pans. 

Final Videos

Presenting to the Middleton School Committee

Eight students from Mrs. LeVangie's and Mrs. Begin's class had the opportunity to share their experience from this project.  Our superintendent Scott Morrison asked them several questions about the boat building experience.  They had some great answers.