Hello Family Members!

With our program Science Fusion, we are studying the design process from the point of view of engineering and technology. We are also exploring how technology improves our lives and how engineering can be used to solve problems. Our first unit of study focuses on these Big Ideas and Essential Questions.

Unit 2 The Engineering Process

To stay up-to-date with our progress, ask about what’s happening in science class often. Talk about and use the unit’s vocabulary words whenever you can.

To reinforce what we’re doing, try this activity with your child.

Big Idea (a broad statement about the science topic we are studying)

Technology is all around us. Engineers apply their knowledge of science to design solutions to practical problems.

Vocabularyengineering

technology

prototype

criteriaEssential Questions (for exploring the Big Idea)What is the design process?

How can you design a solution to a problem?

How does technology improve our lives?

Your child is learning that engineers use science to design technology that solves problems. See for yourselves how the process works.

With your child, pick a technology to explore. Computers, cell phones, and bar codes are possibilities.

First, talk about how the technology has affected people’s lives.

Follow up with print and digital research to find out how the technology was developed.

For example, if you are interested in the development of the Internet, the National Science Foundation has an engaging site on this topic: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/nsf-net/. The site also has a search function that leads to interesting pages on the development of other technologies.

Share what you’ve learned with the rest of the family!

Go Digital!

There are also many exciting online resources available for Science Fusion, including Virtual Labs, Digital Lessons, Vocabulary Cards, and an Interactive Glossary.

I hope you and your child will take advantage of these resources.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gladimar de Jesús