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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Building a water clock

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A lesson plan for grades 5–8 Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science


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The purpose of this lesson is to build a feedback-controlled system, i.e., a water clock and use the Internet to research ways to improve the system design. This activity should follow student encounters with more simple systems, such as pencils, scissors, etc. In this activity students will begin to examine more closely the interactions between the parts of a system. The main goal of having students learn about systems is not to have them talk about systems in abstract terms, but to enhance their ability to attend to various aspects of particular systems in attempting to understand or deal with the whole system.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 5

  • Goal 4: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technologies to build an understanding of forces and motion in technological designs.
    • Objective 4.06: Build and use a model to solve a mechanical design problem.
      • Devise a test for the model.
      • Evaluate the results of test.

Grade 6

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
    • Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
      • Application of scientific principles.
      • Risks and benefits.
      • Constraints of design.
      • Consistent testing protocols.

Grade 7

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
    • Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
      • Application of scientific principles.
      • Risks and benefits.
      • Constraints of design.
      • Consistent testing protocols.

Grade 8

  • Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
    • Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
      • Application of scientific principles.
      • Risks and benefits.
      • Constraints of design.
      • Consistent testing protocols.