About this resource
In the lesson, "Lizard's New Home," students will have researched the basic needs of lizards and have charted the ecosystem required. In this activity, students will be invited to expand on their definition of an ideal environment to build something new for the lizard's home. For example, if the lizard needs a water source and the teacher is used to providing the lizard water each day, is there a way to build in a water source that doesn't involve the teacher? What about temperature regulation? What ways are there to help keep the lizard's home a comfortable temperature? Guide students to ask conceptual questions like, "How can I make sure my lizards don't starve after they finish the food in their area?" and "How can I make sure that there's a renewable source of water for a lizard?" Remind students how to turn these conceptual questions into keywords if they want to research what innovations already exist. Encourage them to imagine possible modifications to what we already have in the class's terrarium. Any suggested modifications to the lizard's current habitat can be explored and brought to fruition in a makerspace environment.
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Life Sciences
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
Common Core:
RI.5.7 Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
WI5.7 Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
NGSS:
3-5 ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
3-5 ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
3-5 ETS1-3: Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
What students will do
Students will apply research skills (turning questions into search terms) to explore a previous inquiry more deeply in order to find a design solution to a need discovered.
Resources Needed
Computers or devices with access to the Internet, subscription databases, or other sources of information (pet shop catalogs?). Makerspace supplies and time. Sketchbooks/paper for students.