Cao Cong Weighs the Elephant - Boat Building Challenge
Around two thousand years ago, weighing an elephant without advanced equipment posed a challenging problem. However, a clever solution was devised by a seven-year-old named Cao Cong. He ingeniously proposed using a boat as a medium to determine the weight of the elephant. This remarkable story has been passed down through generations in China, highlighting the brilliance of young minds even in ancient times. Incorporating this historical tale into a STEM challenge, students will be tasked with constructing a robust boat capable of supporting the weight of an elephant-shaped watering can filled with water.
Lesson Grade Level
5th GradeLesson Plan Link/URL
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dSDOI_fY3a_WiCR_Y__wyK5ITRZRhltP/edit?u…Subject Area
Science Physical Science P3: Net Force Engineering S1: Engineering & Global Society S2: Apply the Engineering Design Process S3: Apply Mathematics to Engineering Mathematics Number and Operations in Base Ten (NBT) English Language Arts (ELA) Reading (Literature)Related Content
This thematic unit has four lessons which will introduce students to phenomena we encounter in the real world. Students will learn about high interest phenomenon’s through hands-on investigations
A Shocking Dystopia: STEM Adventures in The City of Ember Part 4 of 4: Where the River Goes
This lesson is PART 4 of a four-lesson unit, which focuses on futures thinking, the phenomenon of electricity, closed-system agriculture, and water as a renewable energy resource. “The City of Ember”