Mousetronaut: An Engineering Challenge

This lesson plan includes ideas and materials centered on Mark Kelly's book Mousetronaut. The students will be discussing gravity and listening to the book. They will then be participating in an engineering challenge based on the book where they have to design something to rescue a key like the mouse does. They will be using a recording sheet to keep track of the engineering process as well as their final data. Finally the class will analyze their collective data and present their creations. The materials include a copy of the book or I've included a link to the book read aloud, blank keys that students can use to “rescue”, a place in the classroom to set up the key like in the book to get it “stuck.” Engineering materials that include but are not limited to: straws, string, paper clips, cardboard, paper, index cards, paper plates, foil, magnets, twine, crafting wire. Each student needs a copy of the Engineering Challenge Recording Sheet included.