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Snow Success

By Platform Administrator · Submitted Sep 30, 2026

Content Area
Science and Technology/Engineering
Grade
3

Each student takes on the role of an engineer to build a house that can withstand a real-life natural hazard. Students use criteria to design, test, and redesign a home to withstand a natural hazard that they face in their own world. Students work independently on the claim and sketch before joining a group for the design. By the end of the task, students will be able to state how a blizzard can be a natural hazard and create a house that can survive a natural hazard, and recognize how they can reduce the impact of a hazard in their daily life. Students will be able to calculate the cost to build a house using the supplies provided.

MA Standards

3.ESS.3.1
Evaluate the merit of a design solution that reduces the damage caused by weather.* Clarification Statement: Examples of design solutions to reduce weather-related damage could include a barrier to prevent flooding, a wind-resistant roof, and a lightning rod.
3.ETS.1.1
Define a simple design problem that reflects a need or a want. Include criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost that a potential solution must meet.*
3.ETS.1.2
Generate several possible solutions to a given design problem. Compare each solution based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the design problem.* Clarification Statement: Examples of design problems can include adapting a switch on a toy for children who have a motor coordination disability, designing a way to clear or collect debris or trash from a storm drain, or creating safe moveable playground equipment for a new recess game.
3.NBT.A.2
Fluently add and subtract within 1,000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction. [Note: A range of algorithms may be used.]

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