Little Designer: The Pattern Lampshade
FoundationFollow the four design steps — plan, build and test, improve, present and reflect — to make a lampshade with light-shining patterns from cardboard and cellophane.
- Four steps of design: plan, build and test, improve, present and reflect.
- Cardboard builds the frame; cellophane shines the patterns.
- Testing finds problems; improving makes the design better.
文體小知識：探究記敘記錄動手做的過程。這一篇跟著工程設計四步，製作一個會透光的圖案燈罩。
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1When engineers solve problems, they follow the steps of engineering design: first, define the problem and plan; second, build a model and test it; third, improve the design; fourth, present and reflect. This time we will be little engineers too, using these four steps to design a lampshade with light-shining patterns for a small night lamp.
2Define the problem and plan: first think clearly about what to make — a tube-shaped lampshade with translucent star and moon patterns. Draw the idea as a sketch and list the materials and tools: cardboard for the frame, cellophane or tracing paper for the patterns, scissors for cutting, and glue for sticking.
3Build a model and test: following the sketch, cut the cardboard into a rectangle, roll it into a tube and glue it, cut out the patterns, and stick translucent cellophane or tracing paper behind them. Then test it on the night lamp: switch off the room light and see how the light shines through, whether the patterns are clear, and whether the shade stands firm.
4Testing often finds problems, and then we improve the design. If the patterns are too dark, maybe the paper there does not let light through — cut them out and stick cellophane behind; if the shade is loose and slides down, narrow the tube; if the joint opens, add more glue and hold it until dry. Test again after improving, and the design gets better each time.
5Finally, present and reflect: introduce your lampshade to classmates, telling them what patterns you chose, how you made it, what problems you met and how you solved them, and listen to their ideas. In the lesson Objects on Inspection we learned about light passing through materials — here it is: cardboard blocks light for the base, and translucent paper shines for the patterns. Science plus design makes life wonderful.
1Summary 重點摘要
Follow the four design steps — plan, build and test, improve, present and reflect — to make a lampshade with light-shining patterns from cardboard and cellophane.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The process of using science to solve problems and make things.
To think through the steps and what is needed.
A sample made from a design.
To try a work to see whether it meets the goal.
To make the design better after finding problems.
To tell others about your design and how you made it.
Thick, stiff paper used to build the lampshade.
Thin, translucent paper that lets light pass through.
Translucent paper that lets light through softly.
Letting some light pass through, like cellophane.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Define the problem and planThe first step of engineering design is to define the problem and plan. Think clearly: what are we making, and for whom? For example, we want a lampshade for a night lamp with patterns that let light through. Then plan: will the shade be a tube or a square box? What patterns — stars, the moon or flowers? What materials? Draw the idea as a sketch and list the materials and tools for a simple plan. Clear thinking and good planning make the later work much smoother — a good habit of engineers.
- Step 2: Know the materials and toolsFor the pattern lampshade, the materials are cardboard and cellophane or tracing paper; the tools are scissors and glue. Cardboard is thick and stiff, so it holds the shade up without flopping; cellophane and tracing paper are thin and translucent, letting light pass softly — perfect for the patterns. Scissors cut the shapes, and glue fastens the parts. Use scissors safely: sit while cutting with the blades pointing down, close them and put them back after use, and when passing them to others, hold the blade end and offer the handles.
- Step 3: Build the model and testAfter planning, build following the sketch: cut the cardboard into a rectangle, roll it into a tube and glue the joint; draw stars and a moon on the tube, cut them out, and stick cellophane or tracing paper behind them; finally add a top for the shade. Then comes the key step — testing: fit the shade on the night lamp, switch off the room light, and see how the light shines through, whether the patterns are clear, and whether the shade stands firm. Testing shows what is good and what needs changing; do not be afraid of finding problems.
- Step 4: Improve the designAfter testing we usually find things to improve — that is when we refine the design. Patterns unclear? Maybe the paper there does not let light through; cut them out and stick cellophane behind. Shade too loose and sliding down? Narrow the tube or add a layer of card. Joint coming open? Spread more glue and clamp it until dry. Test again after improving to see the progress. Many engineers' designs only succeed after testing, improving and testing again many times — failing is normal.
- Step 5: Present and reflectWhen the design is done, the last step is to present and reflect. Introduce your lampshade to classmates and teachers: say what patterns you chose and why, what materials and tools you used, how you made it, what problems testing found, and how you improved it. Listen to others' ideas, such as the patterns could be bigger, and consider whether they make sense. Then reflect on your own process: which step went well, and what could be better next time? Presenting clearly and reflecting openly makes designs keep improving — a precious reward of engineering design.
- Step 6: Link to science — the secret of lightThe beautiful shining patterns rely on what we learned about light. In the lesson Objects on Inspection we learned: materials that let all light through are transparent, like glass; materials that let some light through are translucent, like cellophane and tracing paper; materials that let no light through are opaque, like cardboard. The lampshade uses all three: cardboard blocks light for the base, and translucent paper shines softly for the patterns. Science helps engineering design, and design brings science into life — they are good friends.
5Worked example Example
Example: Ah Ming drew patterns all over his cardboard lampshade, but when the lamp was switched on the patterns could hardly be seen — the shade was too dark. Use the four design steps to find the problem and improve it.
- Define and plan: the shade is too dark because the cardboard where the patterns were drawn does not let light through.
- Build and test: switch the lamp on again — light shows only where the card was cut out; the drawn parts stay black.
- Improve: cut out the pattern shapes and stick cellophane or tracing paper behind them, so light shines through softly.
- Present and reflect: show the improved lampshade to classmates and say what went well and what to do better next time.
- Answer: Ah Ming's problem is that he drew the patterns on light-blocking cardboard. He should plan again, cut the pattern shapes out and stick light-passing cellophane or tracing paper behind them, then test and improve, and finally present and reflect — the lampshade will shine bright and beautiful.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is the first step of engineering design?
Q2What material builds the lampshade frame?
Q3What paper is stuck behind the patterns to let light through?
Q4What is special about cellophane?
Q5What should we do when the design is not good enough?
8Recap Recap
- Four steps of design: plan, build and test, improve, present and reflect.
- Cardboard builds the frame; cellophane shines the patterns.
- Testing finds problems; improving makes the design better.
- Be safe when using scissors.
- Science helps engineering design, and design improves life.