Unit Overview

Kids engineer a humane trap to catch an invasive cane toad before it can hurt native plants and animals.

  • Grades 3–5
  • Setting: Out of school
  • Science connection: Human impact on the environment
  • 6 activities
  • 45 minutes per activity

Standards alignment

We’ve developed each EiE unit with careful attention to educational standards in both science and technology/engineering. View Standards Alignments.

Unit Map

Kids engineer a tower and are introduced to the Engineering Design Process as a problem-solving tool.

Kids explore the idea that they, as engineers, can design and improve technology.

Kids are introduced to the problem: engineering a trap to catch invasive cane toads. They will also build some traps that need improvement in order to be successful.

Using their knowledge of the cane toad problem, kids will use the steps of the Engineering Design Process to engineer their own cane toad traps.

Kids continue using the steps of the Engineering Design Process as they create their cane toad traps, test them, and improve their designs.

Kids present their cane toad traps and knowledge of the Engineering Design Process by creating Public Service Announcements that tell others about the dangers of cane toads.

What's Included?

  • Educator Guide (PDF)
  • Engineering Journal (PDF)
  • Context-Setting Audio Messages (.mp3)
  • Print Materials (PDF)
  • Additional Resources