Escaping the Giant Wave
By: Peg Kehret
Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret is a suspenseful survival story about 13-year-old Kyle and his sister BeeBee, who must escape a burning hotel and race inland after an earthquake triggers a tsunami, facing danger and challenges along the way.
In this lesson, students use micro:bits and the MakeCode platform to design an advanced warning system connected to the novel Escaping the Giant Wave, applying engineering and computational thinking to a real-world-inspired scenario. Working in teams, students define the problem, consider the diverse needs of the community in the story, and design and test solutions that meet specific criteria. Through building and programming their systems, students explore how microelectronics enable communication and responsiveness, ultimately explaining how their designs address the needs of others while connecting technology, teamwork, and storytelling.
Core Content: Reading, Writing, and Science
Grade Levels: Grade 5
Time Required: 5 class periods after completion of novel
ME Career Connection: Students use the engineering design process to complete hands-on activities while exploring real-world microelectronics careers, applying problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration to design solutions and see how these skills connect to ME professions.
Author: Diane Lehman