In this unit, students learn how scientists and engineers work together to solve problems as they engage in the Science and Engineering Practices. The project for this unit is to design a new zoo habitat for emperor penguins that will meet the needs of the penguins and the zoo visitors. The activities in the unit also emphasize the Crosscutting Concepts of Patterns, Cause and Effect, and Energy and Matter.

First, students learn about the needs of penguins by reading a book and watching habitat webcams. Then, they learn about the work of scientists and engineers as they prepare to take on the role of scientist and engineer to design their penguin habitat.

Next, students take on the role of scientist as they study material properties and determine the best uses for materials based on those properties. They perform several investigations to discover how heat can change materials and determine which materials make the best insulation. Students consider how matter changes and figure out how insulation is made from sand and recycled glass.

Finally, students take on the role of engineer as they use the scientific knowledge gained in the previous lessons to select materials and create a design for their habitats. They work in teams to build and test a prototype of the habitat and use the results of testing to inform their redesign. Once they are finished with the project, they disassemble their habitat and use the materials to make something new.