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Oysters are Shoreline Protectors

Unit
1
Class Periods
0
Field Visits

In this hands-on lesson, students design and build a structure that can break wave energy before it hits land. They collaborate through the engineering design process, figure out that there are many possible ways to solve the problem, and reflect on the role that oysters play as natural breakwaters.

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Waves crash over an ice-covered breakwater under a cloudy sky
Oysters are Shoreline Protectors - 3-5

Overview

Core Practices

Engineering Design
Modeling
Collaboration

What Students Do

Students collaborate through the engineering design process to design and build a structure that can break wave energy before it reaches land. They figure out that there are many possible ways to solve the problem, then reflect on the role oysters play as natural breakwaters.

Pacing & Logistics

Pacing: 1 class period (~45 min).

Logistics: Make a copy of the lesson plan, slides, and handouts. Print enough handouts for each student. Set up wave tank stations with weights, cardboard, and trays before class.

Field Visits
0

Learning Standards

No standards assigned to this unit, yet.

LESSONS

CHAPTER

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Lesson

:

Oysters are Shoreline Protectors

Document icon with a folded corner and text lines
Document icon with a folded corner and text lines
Document icon with a folded corner and text lines
Length
45–60 min
Setting
Classroom
Subject
Science
Lesson Question:
How can we design a structure to break wave energy before it reaches land?
Lesson Snapshot

In this hands-on lesson, students design and build a structure that can break wave energy before it hits land. They reflect on the role that oysters play as natural breakwaters.

Materials & Quick Links

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