Here's the Scoop | Extension | West Virginia University

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Working on Here's the Scoop Project in a classroom in Hancock County.

The program "Here's the Scoop" is a STEM unit that targets K-2nd grade students, that explores engineering by guiding youth to design a trash collector that removes trash from a model pond without removing too much water.

This program consists of 6 lessons with an optional day at the end of the lesson:

Day 1: Growth Mindset and Lesson 1. Students will learn that their brains learn from past mistakes, and they can create solutions to problems such as the problem of trash in a duck pond.
Day 2: Lessons 2 and 3. Students use engineering skills to formulate ideas about materials and shapes that would make a good trash collector.
Day 3: Lesson 4. Students test the effectiveness of available materials in water.
Day 4: Lesson 5. Students will imagine and plan a trash collector for the model duck pond.
Day 5: Lesson 6. Students will create and improve their design in the model duck pond.
Optional Day 6: Set up a gallery walk and allow students to share their designs and how they arrived at their solution to Danny the Duck’s problem. (This could also be a great parent-night display of student work)

Reach

4-H school enrichment programs have already made a difference in classrooms across the state. Check out the map below to see where we’ve partnered with schools. Explore the locations to learn more about our growing reach and commitment to hands-on learning.

Quotes from teachers and students

Teachers

"The most important aspect of the growth mindset during the activity was to teach the children not to limit their goals and dreams by to their current abilities. The students learned that they can always learn more and can continue to improve themselves just like they improved their flying technology that they created."

“[The Agent] definitely fostered a growth mindset in my students by showing them that anyone of them can create and solve problems when they put their mind to it. For example, she showed the students how to think outside of the box to use the provided materials to reach their goal ...”

Students

“It was fun to test our project in the water.” 

“I got to save the ducks. It was nice to take out the trash.”

“I made two different designs, and they both worked.”

“I tried different designs till something worked.”

“I liked making it because we got to be creative while helping the planet.”

Audience

The Here's the Scoop program is offered to Kindergarten through 2nd Grade students.

Delivery

The WVU Extension will lead the adventures and bring materials for all the activities.

Time Commitment

This unit will take 5 class periods (about 60 minutes each) to complete. With the option for a 6th class period the "Project Showcase."

Cost

The curriculum materials are FREE, and the Extension Office will provide any supplies needed to complete this project.

Education Standards

West Virginia College and Career- Readiness Standards Science:

Kindergarten: S.K.6 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.*
2nd Grade: S.2.2 Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose. Engineering Design
K-2nd: S.K.11, S.1.10, S.2.12 Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
S.K.12, S.1.11, S.2.13 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
S.K.13, S.1.12, S.2.14 Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

West Virginia College- and Career- Readiness Standards for Mathematics

Kindergarten: M.K.15 Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has “more of” or “less of” the attribute, and describe the difference.
1st Grade: M.1.18 Organize, represent, interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category and how many more or less are in one category than in another.
2nd Grade: M.2.23 Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph.

How do I get this program into my classroom?

Making scoops for Here's the Scoop project in Hancock County.

Our programs offer hands-on learning experiences that complement classroom instruction and engage students in meaningful ways. Are you ready to bring engaging, hands-on learning activities to your students? Please fill out our short interest survey to start the process. We’ll follow up to discuss options and tailor the program to your school’s needs.

School Enrichment Interest form