Component Hunt

Objective:

Disassemble a device and identify the components (parts). Successfully put the device back together.

Deliverable:

  • Written reflection

Core Concepts:

  • Repair

  • Technical Communication

  • Engineering Design

Standards Correlations:

This activity correlates to the following Next Generation Science Standards. These standards incorporate the Common Core Literacy Standards. This activity may correlate to other standards, but these are the best fit:

NGSS Engineering Design - Performance Expectations:

  • MS-ETS1-2. Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

  • MS-ETS1-3. Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

Materials:

  • Something to take apart

  • Tools

  • Computer to access the internet

Procedures:

Activity 1: Understanding Repair

As a class, brainstorm what repair means. Have students talk as a class (or with their families) and write a reflection on the following questions:

  • What is broken in your life?

  • What things have been broken in the home? Why did they break?

  • What things do you think are easy to fix? What things are difficult to fix? Why?

  • What are some possible trade-offs with making things repairable?

Activity 2: Component Hunt

  • Pick one physical item to take apart.

  • Carefully disassemble the device, taking notes as to how it comes apart.

  • Identify the components and match them to the component hunt mat.

  • Reassemble the device.

  • Write a reflection on what you found inside your device.

Discussion Topics

  1. What did you find in your device?

  2. Did the components look like you expected them to look? Why or why not?

  3. What sort of tools did you need to take the device apart?

  4. Was taking the device apart easy or hard? Why? What about putting it back together?

  5. Do you think the device was designed to be repaired? Why or why not?

Other Resources