Mary Poppins – Umbrella Design Challenge

TEACHER’S GUIDE
Grade Level 2rd Grade

Literacy Connection: Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

STEM Content Standards:

Physical Science
• 2-PS1-2 Analyze data obtained from testing different
materials to determine which materials have the
properties that are best suited for an intended purpose

Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science

• 2-ETS1-1 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.
• 2-ETS12 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.
• 2-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the
strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

Standards for Technological Literacy Content Standards and Benchmarks

• Standard 2: Students will develop an understanding of the core concepts of technology.
o D. Different materials are used in making things.
• Standard 6: Students will develop an understanding of the role of society in the development and
use of technology.
o A. Products are made to meet individual needs and wants.

Mathematics
Measurement and Data Measure and estimate lengths in standard units
• AR.Math.Content.2.MD.A.1 Measure the length of an object by selecting and using appropriate tools
such as rulers, yardsticks, meter sticks, and measuring tapes

English Language Arts Content Standards

• W.2.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a
question.

“Big Ideas”
• How different materials respond to getting wet
• How to use resources wisely
• How to use the engineering design loop process to solve real-world problems
• How to work cooperatively in a team
Essential Question
How can you design a structure that will keep Mary Poppins dry when she goes outside in the rain?
What materials are waterproof?
What materials cannot withstand water?

Scenario
While Mary Poppins and the Banks children were walking home from some errands one afternoon, a
huge storm rolled in. Mary Poppins pulled out her trusty umbrella, but quickly learned that it had a large
hole in it, and the water went right through! After returning home soaking wet, Mary Poppins and the
Banks children decide to engineer a new, better umbrella before their next adventure. However, they do
not know what household materials they should use to create an effective umbrella.

The Challenge
Design a model of an umbrella using household items that Mary Poppins could use to stay dry when she
goes outside in the rain. The umbrella may be no taller than 6 inches when stood upright, it may not
collect water, it must stay upright when placed in the clay stand, and it must be something that Mary
Poppins could hold (not a structure that stands on the ground). Each team will be given a kit of materials
to use. You do not have to use all the provided materials, but you may only use what you are given and
nothing more.

Materials
• 8 toothpicks
• 1 small cup (dixie cup)
• 2 cotton balls
• 1 cupcake wrapper
• 8 square inches of plastic wrap
• 3 rubber bands
• 8 square inches of aluminum foil
• 1 6 inch dowel rod
• I paper towel
• 6 square inches of carboard
• 8 inches of masking tape

Tools
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Hole punch

Teacher Notes:
Bag up the materials ahead of time in gallon bags and keep them at your desk or a back table. Different
common materials may be substituted for the materials listed above. After reading the book to the class,
have a discussion with the students about experiences they have had in the rain. Ask them if they wear
raincoats, rainboots, use umbrellas, etc. Ask them what their rain gear is made of. Perhaps tell a story
about the time you went out in the rain without an umbrella and held a piece of paper over your head.
Did that protect you from the rain? After the discussion, divide the students into groups of 2 or 3 and pass
out the student guide. Have the students sketch and plan ideas using their design journal. (List materials
on the board so they know what they may us to work with). Have students show you their sketches. As
the teams show you their ideas, give them a material kit, which they can then take to their seat and begin
working with. Waiting to give the students materials will require them to spend time brainstorming and
sketching. Give the students one class period to design and build their umbrellas (35-40 minutes) and
test the umbrellas the next day (or next class). After you complete the tests, have a discussion about the
class findings.

*you will need a watering can, an empty plastic bin, and a clay base (shape clay into a cube about 2 inches
tall) for the umbrella for testing
*print out a 6” Mary Poppins figure (attached below) and paste onto carboard for testing

Content Information
Science
The students should understand that different materials have different properties, which makes different
materials useful for different functions. These properties could include strength, flexibility, hardness,
texture, and absorbency. Talk about the different materials with your students. What do they notice
about the properties of the materials in their kits? After the students’ investigations, they will discover
that materials such as plastic, aluminum foil, and rubber bands are all waterproof materials. Why is this?
All these materials have a coating that resists water. Materials like paper, cotton balls, and cardboard do
not resist water as well. You can conduct a class discussion on why rain jackets often have a plastic
coating, and why rainboots are made of rubber. Waterproof materials are the most functional materials
for creating a successful umbrella.

Technology and Engineering

Students will understand the importance of problem-solving skills, and how to use the engineering
design process:
• Question: determine, understand, and define the problem. The problem in this situation is that
Mary Poppins needs an umbrella to stay dry in the storm.
• Brainstorm: Work independently to brainstorm ideas. What are ways that we can solve this
problem? Students should understand the importance of sketches and planning prior to creating
a model.
• Select: Students will work in their team to combine ideas and select the best solution to the
problem.
• Test: Students will build a model of their solution and test its success to solve the problem.
• Evaluate: Students will reflect over their design and the tests results to determine if this was the
best possible solution. What can be changed and improved? Have the students reflect on which
designs worked best, and which did not. What materials were used?
• Share: Students will present their model and its results to the class. They will share what worked
and what changes could be made moving forward.

Have a discussion with your students about the importance of having patience in the design process.
Discuss the importance of cooperating and working as a team. Apply the importance of working as a team
to being successful in society. Many jobs require good teamwork skills. Being a functioning part of a
family or community requires teamwork skills.
Mathematics
The students must understand how to measure using a ruler. Teach them the inch mark, half-inch mark,
quarter-inch mark, and eight-inch mark. They must measure that the umbrella stands no more than 6
inches tall from a flat surface (the clay base). They also may consider the height of the 6-inch Mary
Poppins figure that will be used for testing.

Results and Deliverables

Each team will design and produce a model of an umbrella by using only the provided materials to keep
Mary Poppins dry. We will test each umbrella as a class to see which groups can keep Mary Poppins dry,
and which elements of each design work well. Each team will turn in:
1. A Completed design journal
2. A completed model
3. A small presentation to the class

Limitations
The model must:
• Be built only from the materials included in the team’s material kit
• Keep Mary Poppins dry
• Not hold water
• Be able to be held (hypothetically) (cannot be a structure that stands on the ground)
• Be no taller than 6 inches from the clay base

Evaluation

Designing an Umbrella Using Common Household Items

Group Members:_____________________________________________________________________________

Assessment Criteria:

1) Model Umbrella was submitted along with a completed design journal

_________/20
2) The design used only the provided materials, and demonstrated creative thinking and
intentional planning _________/15

3) The team presented their design to the class. The presentation included the thought
process of their completed design and demonstrates the knowledge of how different _________/15
materials and shapes function to create a successful umbrella.
4) The umbrella prevented Mary Poppins from getting wet _________/15

5) The Umbrella was practical and could be held and used by Mary Poppins (was not a
_________/10
structure that stands on the ground).
6) The students worked well as a team, and demonstrated patience with the design
_________/25
process

Total___________/100
 Mary Poppins Cut-out
*Cut out the figure and past it to a piece of cardboard. Stand under umbrellas for testing
 Mary Poppins
Umbrella Design Challenge
STUDENT GUIDE

Situation:
While Mary Poppins and the Banks children were walking home from some errands one afternoon, a
huge storm rolled in. Mary Poppins pulled out her trusty umbrella, but quickly learned that it had a large
hole in it, and the water went right through! After returning home soaking wet, Mary Poppins and the
Banks children decide to engineer a new, better umbrella before their next adventure. However, they do
not know what household materials they should use to create an effective umbrella.

The Big Ideas:

• How different materials respond to getting wet
• How to use resources wisely
• How to use the engineering design loop process to solve real-world problems
• How to work cooperatively in a team

Essential Questions:
How can you design a structure that will keep Mary Poppins dry when she goes outside in the rain?
What materials are waterproof?
What materials cannot withstand water?

Challenge:
Design a model of an umbrella using household items that Mary Poppins could use to stay dry when she
goes outside in the rain. The umbrella may be no taller than 6 inches when held upright, it may not collect
water, it must stay upright when placed in the stand, and it must be something that Mary Poppins could
hold (not a structure that stands on the ground). Each team will be given a kit of materials to use. You do
not have to use all the provided materials, but you may only use what you are given and nothing more.

Materials:
• 8 toothpicks
• 1 small cup (dixie cup)
• 2 cotton balls
• 1 cupcake wrapper
• 8 square inches of plastic wrap
• 3 rubber bands
 • 8 square inches of aluminum foil
• 1 6 inch dowel rod
• I paper towel
• 6 square inches of carboard
• 8 inches of masking tape

Tools:
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Hole punch

Limitations:
The model must:
• Be built only from the materials included in the team’s material kit
• Keep Mary Poppins dry
• Not hold water
• Be able to be held (hypothetically) (cannot be a structure that stays on the ground)
• Be no taller than 6 inches from the clay base

Testing

Once your model is complete, test it out with the help of your teacher. Record the results in your design journal.
• Does your umbrella fit in the design limitations?
• Does your umbrella keep Mary Poppins dry?
• Does your umbrella stay intact?
Design Journal Brainstorm! (Sketch your ideas in these boxes)
What is the problem? What are my limitations?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

What could you Improve? What will

you share with the class?
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

Sketch your final team

design on the back of
this sheet!
What did you learn about the
properties of different materials?
What materials worked best?
______________________________
______________________________ Testing: Did Mary Poppins stay Dry? (Circle)
______________________________
______________________________ Yes No
______________________________
Did the umbrella stay intact?
______________________________
______________________________ Yes No
______________________________
______________________________