Nexus Network Lesson Plan Nexus Network
Collaborative STEM Lesson Plan
STEM + SEL Intensive
Technical Integration Prep
Reference: Provide each team with the Structural Specs Cheat Sheet for Phase 3.
Economy: Teams earn "Social Credits" for demonstrating SEL skills; these are spent in the Marketplace.
STEM Objectives
Define Compression & Tension.
Execute the 5-step EDP.
Analyze prototyping data.
SEL Objectives
Build team "Common Ground."
Practice active listening.
Resolve design conflicts.
Grouping
Teams of 3-4. Multi-age groupings encouraged to promote leadership and mentorship.
00:00
Human Hardware (Intro)
The "Human Knot" challenge. STEM Link: Introduce "Algorithms"—the set of instructions the team follows to untangle. Define "System Crash" (tangled) vs "Status: OK" (circle).
00:30
Station Rotation (The Data Pass)
3 stations (20 mins each). STEM Link: Focus on Data Collection . Students must record prototype results (Pennies held, Tower height) in their Mission Manuals.
01:30
The Common Ground Bridge
Teams build a bridge using the Structural Specs Cheat Sheet . They must identify Tension vs Compression zones.
The Material Marketplace (SEL BRIDGE)
Teams start with limited supplies. To "buy" more (straws, tape), they must complete SEL Tasks found in the Mission Manual and get teacher sign-off.
02:30
Sync & Reflect
Gallery walk. Focus on "Symbolic Architecture." How did the team's data improve after using Social Credits in the Marketplace?
Facilitator Tech Debrief
The "Logic" Question:
"If your team was a computer system, what was your most efficient 'sub-routine' (the thing you did best together)?"
The "Load" Question:
"Where did your bridge feel 'Compression' (stress)? Was it in the straws or in your team's communication during a disagreement?"
3-5 Differentiator
Emphasis on Shapes . Ensure they understand why triangles don't tilt. High support for data logging.
6-8 Differentiator
Emphasis on Physics & Economy . Require detailed load calculations and strict budget management in the Marketplace.
Nexus Network Slides System Online
Nexus
Network
STEM COLLABORATION CHALLENGE
The Mission
Collaborate
Find your team's "Common Ground" and build bridges across social gaps.
Engineer
Solve technical problems using the Engineering Design Process.
"Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins."
Boot Sequence: Human Hardware
The Human Knot Challenge
Stand in a circle with your team.
Reach into the center and grab hands with two different people.
Do not grab the person directly next to you.
Untangle the knot without ever letting go of hands.
TIME: 10 MINUTES
The Station Loop
Station A
Gravity Gaps
Tallest paper tower using communication only.
Station B
Buoyancy Bots
Design foil hulls for maximum cargo weight.
Station C
Logic Links
Program your human robot through the maze.
ROTATE EVERY 20 MINUTES
Main Event:
Common Ground Bridge
The Social Link
Find 5 things your whole team has in common. No easy ones! (e.g. "We all have hair" doesn't count).
The Engineering Link
Build a bridge that spans 12 inches. It must include 5 design elements that represent your 5 common things.
Hardware Specs
Inventory List
25 Paper Straws
1 Meter Tape
2 Index Cards
1 Piece of Cardstock
System Requirements
Must span exactly 12 inches (30cm).
Must be free-standing (not taped to the table).
Must support the weight of 1 smartphone (safely!).
Must visually represent your team's "Common Ground."
Gallery Walk
Time to analyze the network. Walk around, look at the architecture, and leave "Peer Review" notes on the Mission Packets.
Inspect Appreciate Evaluate
Mission Manual Packet Mission Manual
PROJECT: NEXUS NETWORK
Team Name
Network Members
Team Logo
Common Ground Data
01
02
03
04
05
Station Log & Data
A: Gravity Gaps (Tower)
Final Height (cm):
Stability (1-10):
B: Buoyancy Bots (Boats)
Prototype # Load (Pennies) Result (Float/Sink) 01 02
C: Logic Links (Coding)
INPUT:
OUTPUT:
Technical Analysis
Choose ONE station. What is one technical variable (weight, height, instruction clarity) you would change to improve your score?
The Blueprint
Phase: Construction
Structural Design Space
Material Marketplace
EARN CREDITS THROUGH SEL TASKS
ITEM COST (Social Credits) SEL TASK COMPLETED? Extra Tape (1m) 5 Credits "Name 1 strength for each teammate" Joint Support (2 straws) 3 Credits "Demonstrate active listening"
Total Credits Spent:
Teacher Initials:
Final Metrics
Performance Data
Load Support Time (sec): _________
Total Material Count: _________
Structural Efficiency: High / Med / Low
Connection Data
Shared Interests Logged: _________
Disagreements Resolved: _________
Team Morale (1-10): _________
Symbolic Sync Logic
How does your design architecture represent your team's "Common Ground"?
Mission Debrief
What was the most difficult collaborative moment?
How did your team use the Engineering Design Process today?
Peer Status Updates
Have other teams leave a "Shout-out" or "Appreciation" for your design below:
"I appreciated when your team..."
"Design Shout-out! I loved the..."
Station Rotation Guide A
Station Alpha
Gravity Gaps
The Tower Challenge
STEM Goal: Optimize structural center of gravity.
Materials
• 10 Sheets of Paper
• 1 Meter of Tape
Constraints
• Must be free-standing.
• Time: 15 Minutes.
The Protocol
Build the tallest tower possible. Use triangles for stability. Record height in your manual.
COLLAB TWIST:
The Architect can talk but cannot touch materials. The Builders can touch materials but cannot talk!
B
Station Bravo
Buoyancy Bots
The Cargo Challenge
STEM Goal: Maximize water displacement.
Materials
• 1 Square Foil (12x12)
• Water & Pennies
Constraints
• Only 1 piece of foil.
• Must float 10 seconds.
The Protocol
Design a boat hull that carries the most pennies. Experiment with side-wall height.
COLLAB TWIST:
Every member must suggest one structural feature. You MUST try every member's idea at least once!
C
Station Charlie
Logic Links
The Human Code Challenge
STEM Goal: Debug logic instructions.
Materials
• Blue Tape Maze
• 1 Blindfold
Constraints
• No physical touching.
• Time: 15 Minutes.
The Protocol
Program your "Robot" to cross the maze using verbal commands. Debug when they fail.
COLLAB TWIST:
Create a Code Dictionary (e.g., "Alpha" = step forward) before starting. No normal directions allowed!
Collaboration Rubric Collaboration Rubric
Project: Nexus Network
Teacher Assessment Tool
Team Name: _____________________
Date/Period: ___________________
Category 1 - Low Signal 2 - Intermittent 3 - High Speed 4 - Nexus Level Communication Work in isolation. One dominant voice. Consistent sharing. Respectful & Technical. Inclusion Exclusion present. Roles not followed. Clear roles for all. Equity in all tasks. Resilience Give up easily. Frustrated by fails. Analyze failures. Positive pivot/fix. Engineering Fails constraints. Meets size only. Stable + Symbolic. Innovative architecture.
Network Diagnostics
Observations & Feedback
Note specific team interactions here...
Future Growth Targets
Collaborative Goal
Engineering Goal
Final System Score
/16
Final Debrief Checklist
Common Ground list verified
Peer feedback section signed
Bridge structural integrity tested
Mission Packet scanned for quality
Structural Specs Cheat Sheet Structural Specs
NEXUS NETWORK TECHNICAL REFERENCE v1.2
CORE KNOWLEDGE READY
Physics
Forces
Compression
Forces that push down or squeeze. Like standing on a soda can.
Tension
Forces that pull apart or stretch. Like a game of tug-of-war.
Geometry
Rigid Shapes
Squares can "rack" (tilt over). Triangles are rigid because their sides cannot move without changing length.
Unstable Square
Stable Triangle
Buoyancy & Displacement
An object floats if it displaces (pushes aside) water equal to its weight. Increasing Surface Area helps heavy things float!
Surface Area = Better Floating
Algorithm logic
IF obstacle = true THEN turn()
WHILE bridge = unstable REPEAT tape()
Engineering Design Process
01. ASK
Identify problem & constraints.
02. IMAGINE
Brainstorm many solutions.
03. PLAN
Pick best idea. Draw it!
04. CREATE
Build your prototype.
05. IMPROVE
Test, fail, and fix it.
Nexus Network Training Module
Powering Your Potential
