How Can We Stay Cool in the Sun?
How Can We Stay Cool in the Sun? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a new curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of kindergarten engineering and physical science standards. In this module, students:
- Plan and carry out an investigation to explain how a playground surface may have become too hot to play on
- Research existing solutions to similar problems and analyze the shapes of these structures to inform their own designs
- Design, build, and test model shade devices that could solve the problem
- Obtain information about how engineers solve problems and compare the process to how the students approached the playground problem
- Research, design, build, and compare portable shade devices as possible solutions to a new problem
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Family Letter
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Before starting How Can We Stay Cool in the Sun? share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.
Ada Asks Introduction (1:01)
Ada introduces students to the themes of the module and the problem they will solve throughout the first seven lessons: A playground surface is too warm for children to play on during recess. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
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Suggested pause: Why do you think that happened?: (0:29)
Hot Playground
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This playground picture from the Ada Asks Introduction video is used during class discussion.
Which Is Warmer
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This file of images is used during discussion throughout the lesson.
Hot Hot Hot
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This file is displayed throughout the lesson to provide discussion prompts and investigation guidance.
Sunshade Examples
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This file includes pictures of shade device models built with materials available in the kit.
Materials Planning
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This file is used to scaffold student use of their notebook sheets..
Tami's Tower
https://ssec.si.edu/tamis-tower
In this game, students have to build a tower to help Tami, the golden tamarin, reach the fruit. Tami’s Tower is available online and as a mobile app. It is also available in Spanish.
Testing Devices
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This copy of the Lesson 7 Activity Sheet is projected during class discussion prior to device testing.
Ada Asks Design Challenge (1:10)
Ada introduces students to the design challenge. They will design and build a portable shade device. Closed captioning is available in the YouTube version by clicking the “CC” icon.
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Suggested pauses: Which do you think will solve my playground problem? (0:09) How would an engineer solve this problem? (0:40)
Kit Tips & Tricks