Gingerbread House Project

Lesson Plan

Grades: Grades 6-8, Grown-Ups and Educators

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Support Materials

What is the Engineering Design Process? – Video

Steps of the Engineering Design Process – Webpage

Engineering Design Process – Printable

Hamburger Paragraph

Vocabulary

Blueprints – a design plan or other technical drawing.
Architecture – the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings.
Creative Writing – writing, typically fiction or poetry, which displays imagination or invention

About

Students in Grades 6 to 8 will be provided with the opportunity to build a gingerbread house. Students will use the engineering design process to complete their gingerbread house. The gingerbread house can be edible or non edible. Each student will also submit a creative three paragraph essay. Each student will demonstrate a well written creative essay telling a story about their gingerbread house.

Credits: Credit: Bobbi Downs | Laurel Highland Highlands Middle School

Standards

PA STEELS Standards (Grades 6–8)

🧪 Scientific & Engineering Practices (SEPs)

These apply across all 6–8 STEELS performance expectations.

SEP1 – Asking Questions & Defining Problems

Students define the structural challenge (build a stable gingerbread house).
Identify constraints (materials, time, weight load, height, etc.).

SEP2 – Developing & Using Models

Sketch or prototype house designs.
Use models to test structural ideas before building.

SEP3 – Planning & Carrying Out Investigations

Test icing “adhesives,” wall angles, roof shapes, and load‑bearing capacity.
Conduct fair tests by controlling variables.

SEP4 – Analyzing & Interpreting Data

Measure collapse points, compare designs, track failure modes.
Use data to justify design choices.

SEP5 – Using Mathematics & Computational Thinking

Apply ratios, measurement, angles, and geometry to improve stability.
Calculate weight distribution or surface area for icing adhesion.

SEP6 – Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions

Explain why certain designs are more stable.
Use evidence to support engineering decisions.

SEP7 – Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Compare design solutions using data from testing.
Debate which structure best meets the criteria.

SEP8 – Obtaining, Evaluating & Communicating Information

Communicate design process, results, and improvements.

🔧 Engineering & Technology Core Ideas (ETS)

ETS1.A – Defining & Delimiting Engineering Problems

Identify the problem: build a strong, stable gingerbread structure.
Define criteria (strength, height, aesthetics) and constraints (materials, time).

ETS1.B – Developing Possible Solutions

Brainstorm multiple design options.
Create prototypes and test them.

ETS1.C – Optimizing the Design Solution

Analyze test results and redesign.
Improve structure based on evidence (e.g., stronger joints, better geometry).

⚙️ Physical Science Core Ideas (PS)

PS2.A – Forces & Motion

Understand how gravity, load, and balance affect structural stability.
Explore how force distribution impacts collapse.

PS2.B – Types of Interactions

Investigate friction and adhesion (icing as a bonding agent).

PS1.A – Structure & Properties of Matter

Consider material properties (brittleness of gingerbread, viscosity of icing).

📐 Math Connections (Grades 6–8)

Geometry & Measurement

Use angles, symmetry, and geometric nets for design.
Measure height, width, and load capacity.

Ratios & Proportional Reasoning

Mix icing ratios, scale models, or adjust dimensions.