Unit Overview

Students use the Engineering Design Process to design a nightlight that provides different amounts of light for two people sharing a room. Additionally, the nightlight must communicate whether or not it is a school day. Students experience that  we need light to see, investigate how materials interact with light, and explore methods for communicating with light.

  • Recommended for Grade 1
  • Setting: In school
  • Science connection: Light
  • 9 lessons
  • 45 minutes per lesson

Standards alignment

YES units align with state and national science standards, integrating seamlessly with popular elementary science curricula. View unit-specific Engineering Nightlights Alignment or all Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Students are introduced to engineering by designing a model bench for people waiting at a bus stop.

Students read a story about two cousins who share a room but prefer different amounts of light when they sleep. They explore a dark box to learn that objects can only be seen if they are illuminated by light.

Students explore transparent, translucent, and opaque materials to learn about the ways materials interact with light.

Students test the materials they may use in their nightlights to determine how much light they let through.

Students independently imagine ideas for their nightlights. They work with a partner to plan one nightlight design.

Students create their nightlights and test how well their designs let the desired amount of light through.

Students identify aspects of their nightlights to improve. They make adjustments and test their improved designs.

Students learn ways to communicate using light and create a school reminder for their nightlights.

Students share their designs with their peers and reflect on their engineering work.

Video Resources

View the full unit playlist on YouTube.

Teacher Preparation Videos

Yazmin’s Bedroom

Opaque Box

Nightlight Base

Videos for Students

Attach Materials to the Nightlight Base

Attach a School Reminder

Nightlight icon

What’s Included?

  • Teacher Guide (PDF)
  • Teacher Slides (Google Slides)
  • Student Engineering Notebook (PDF)
  • Illustrated Story (Google Slides or PDF)
  • Print Materials (PDF)