Other
Designing Model Membranes
Upper Elementary
Molecules & Organisms
Matter
In Classrooms
Students engineer model membranes that provide water slowly over time.
unit Overview
Students use the Engineering Design Process to design a model membrane that slowly delivers water to a frog in need. They explore how the natural membrane of a raisin lets in water over time and investigate how different materials can mimic this behavior.
- 5 lessons (8–9 class sessions)
Standards Alignment
We’ve developed each EiE unit with careful attention to educational standards in both science and technology/engineering.
unit Resources
Digital Resources (FREE)
YES provides these materials free of charge! Use the link below to download resources from our Google Drive.
Download ResourcesPurchase Materials
Educator Guide Pack -
$69
- Full-color print educator guide, plus multiple sets of heavy-duty reusable color-print resources (ex. vocabulary cards, materials glossaries, station signs, and student instructions) for the class.
Materials Kit -
$489
- Hands-on materials to support 30 learners.
Materials Refill Kit -
$199
- Replenishes the consumable items from the Materials Kit.
Unit Map
Students are introduced to the concepts of engineering and technology. (30–40 min.)
The class reads a storybook in which a boy named Juan Daniel living in El Salvador explores the field of Bioengineering in order to design a safe environment for his fútbol team’s mascot, a small frog. (90–120 min., 2–3 sessions)
Students think like bioengineers as they match technologies with the natural objects that inspired them. (45–50 min.)
Students experiment with materials as they think about how to design a membrane that will let desired substances through. (100–110 min., 2 sessions)
Students follow the steps of the Engineering Design Process to imagine, plan, create, test, and then improve their own model membrane designs. (100–110 min., 2 sessions)
Teacher Preparation Videos
View the full unit playlist on YouTube
How to Use the Testing Container
How to Prepare Raisin Samples
