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How can you keep a house from blowing away in a windstorm?
Stormy Skies Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
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How can you keep a house from blowing away in a windstorm?

Stormy Skies Unit | Lesson 5 of 5
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
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DISCUSS (1 of 2):

Do you have strong winds where you live?

Have you ever experienced a natural hazard like a tornado, hurricane, or dust storm?

DISCUSS (2 of 2):

What kind of problems do you think strong winds cause?

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DISCUSS:

How could you protect your house during a windstorm?

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storm


1 of 10

weather that usually includes strong wind and rain or snow
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windstorm


2 of 10

a storm with very strong winds
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tornado


3 of 10

a type of windstorm, shaped like a funnel, that happens with little warning
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hurricane


4 of 10

a type of windstorm that starts as a smaller storm over the ocean
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dust storm


5 of 10

a type of windstorm that moves large amounts of dirt and sand
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natural hazard


6 of 10

an event in nature (such as a landslide, earthquake, hurricane, or wildfire) that can be dangerous to living things
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engineer


7 of 10

a person who uses science to come up with solutions to problems
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construction engineer


8 of 10

a person who designs, plans, and builds structures such as buildings
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design


9 of 10

to make a plan for creating or doing something
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model


10 of 10

a pretend version of something that scientists use when the real thing is too big, small, or complicated to work with
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Featured Reviews

“Love the video and pictures that make this experiment meaningful to my 3rd graders. In California, we don't really see much of these types of storms.”
· Tina · Teacher
“It was the lesson my students enjoyed the most. In this last lesson, they were able to engage in a STEM hands-on activity to design a solution to a problem. I loved to see how they brainstormed in pairs to come up with their designs. ”
· Iris · Teacher
“The kids were all engaged, the materials were easy to find and the lesson connected perfectly to our weather unit!”
· Jacquelyn · Teacher
“My students had a blast engineering ideas to make a sturdy home! It was fun to see the design process and the scientific process in action!”
· Wendi · Teacher
“The students really came up with some great ideas to make the house better. Great STEM activity to tie into severe weather. ”
· · Teacher
“This Mystery was by far the student's favorite. The house construction was simple enough for students to do on their own, and they enjoyed experimenting with the impact of wind. ”
· Laura · Teacher
“Loved this as usual!! The activity at the end really got my child thinking for himself. And watching the video at the end helped him see that simple ideas can be worked out in real life. Well done Mystery science!!”
· Heather · Homeschooler
“We loved building the houses and experimenting with them! I love that you list the materials to make it clear for us and repeat the directions over and over and over on the video!”
· Angel · Teacher
“I enjoyed watching the students plan and discuss different design solutions. They knew their resources were limited and they figured out how to recycle the materials from one design to the next”
· Elizabeth · Teacher
“The students loved building the houses. Your detailed explanation and demonstration is just enough to guide most of them through without any help. I was surprised at how creative the students were with using the supplies provided to modify the house. Though, none used the paper.”
· Heidi · Teacher
“My students loved building the house and making improvements on the second try. This was the most fun Mystery Science lesson although many thought the bee pollinating was awesome as well.”
· Maureen · Teacher
“I liked how the kids thought their house was sturdy and then when the hurricane came it still knocked it down. It made them think harder.”
· Renee · Teacher
“Fantastic! The step by step directions for building the house and testing it was perfect. The tie into what do we do in the real world for houses was valuable.”
· Barb · Teacher
“At first students were hesitant to come up with ideas but with trial and error they started getting more and more creative.”
· Brenda · Teacher
“Your directions were outstanding as always. The collaboration going on in my room was great as they tried to improve their designs. ”
· Peggy · Teacher
“Hands-on opportunity to engineer and reengineer their designs was tremendously engaging. Thinking like an engineer is always fun!”
· Gena · Teacher
“The best part? Need you ask... everything was the BEST part... seeing faces that said - I tested and I was able to figure it out... and assist my partner!!! THANK YOU to all who created this lesson!”
· · Teacher
“The students LOVED it and went home and tried new modifications to their houses.”
· Joan · Teacher
“The highlights of this lesson was the footage of the semi trucks getting blown around like they were made of tissue and, of course, the activity. My boys were able to make their houses much stronger the second time around and it was so much fun to watch the wheels turning in their head to come up with ideas to do so. WE LOVE MYSTERY SCIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
· · Homeschooler
“Student engagement was off the charts. They loved building their houses and then trying to determine the best way to strengthen them to avoid being blown away.”
· Dena · Teacher
“Easy for grade 2-3 kiddos to understand and complete independently. Fun!”
· Annie · Teacher
“I loved to see my class working together to solve the problem and the joy on their faces when they came up with a solution!!!”
· Amy · Teacher
“Not only did the LOVE it, but this Mystery is so well planned. They were able to be successful, which is sometimes the challenge with STEM activities. ”
· Christina · Teacher
“The kids had so much fun creating the house models, inventing new ways to keep the roofs on then using the wind maker to see if they're creations were a success! They were engaged the whole time, I was amazed how into they were. Thanks for the great idea. ”
· Miranda · Teacher
“Building the house, and testing different designs was fun!! The kids were so engaged, and when their design didn't work, it was a GREAT lesson on design revision”
· Angie · Teacher
“Students loved it! They were especially excited to go back and make adjustments to their house based on the first experience. ”
· Michelle · Teacher
“wonderful!! Great collaboration and discussion between students.”
· Jessica · Teacher
“The best part was how closely this lesson aligned with the standards! The kids loved creating their houses and especially loved testing them with the "wind maker". ”
· Jacqueline · Teacher
“Kids were super engaged. Really aligns with NGSS engineering standards. We were worried about trying it out but it was awesome!”
· Elizabeth · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 3

Weather & Climate

Natural Hazards & Engineering

3-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-5-ETS1-3

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students explore the effects of natural hazards, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and dust storms. In the activity, Design a Windproof House, students build paper house models. Then, using limited materials, students design multiple solutions that will make their houses sturdy enough to survive a wind storm, and compare the merits of their solutions.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Design a Windproof House worksheet 30 copies
Paper House Model printout Print 30 copies
Windmaker printout Print 30 copies
Blank Paper (8.5 x 11")
Recycled is fine.
Details
15 sheets
Scissors
30 pairs
Dot Stickers
We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom. Tape also works.
Details
60 stickers
Dot Stickers
We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom. Tape also works.
Details
30 stickers
Paper Clips
90 clips
Toothpicks
90 toothpicks
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

Prep Supplies for Distribution

Students first need one paper clip and two dot stickers to build their paper house model. For the second part of the activity, each pair will need a blank sheet of paper, six toothpicks, four paper clips, and two dot stickers to design a solution that prevents their house from blowing over in the wind. You may want to separate the supplies for these two parts of the activity for ease of classroom distribution.

Exploration

18 mins

Hands-On Activity

35 mins

Wrap-Up

2 mins

Grade 3

Weather & Climate

Natural Hazards & Engineering

3-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-5-ETS1-3

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Credits
 
Weather Lesson 5: How can you keep a house from blowing away in a windstorm?

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