Bamboo Fishing Pole Engineering Challenge

Grade: 4 NGSS Standard: 3-5-ETS1-2— Engineering Design

Subject: Science, Engineering Design, and Place-Based Education

Primary NGSS Alignment: 3-5-ETS1-1 — Engineering Design

Supporting Standards: 3-5-ETS1-3 (Engineering Testing) and W.4.2 (Informative Writing)

Learning Objective

Students will participate in constructing functional fishing poles from raw bamboo, learn techniques for preparing and assembling fishing equipment, test their poles through catch-and-release fishing, and communicate the construction process through instructional posters.

Lesson Description

Students engaged in a hands-on, place-based engineering lesson that connected natural materials, practical construction skills, and aquaponics.

Beginning with full stalks of bamboo, students helped measure, trim, and prepare bamboo to create functional fishing poles. They learned to attach fishing line, tie knots, and secure hooks and weights.

Students then tested their completed poles in Jefferson Elementary's aquaponics tubs, taking turns practicing catch-and-release fishing for tilapia. This activity provided an opportunity to evaluate the functionality of their designs while learning about responsible fish handling and aquatic ecosystems.

Following the activity, students created instructional posters illustrating the materials, construction steps, and techniques needed to build a bamboo fishing pole. The posters were displayed throughout the school to share their learning with the broader school community.

Place-Based Learning Connection

This lesson connects engineering design with fishing practices relevant to Hawaiʻi, the use of natural materials, environmental stewardship, and mālama i ke kai. Students developed practical skills while participating in an authentic learning experience using the school's aquaponics system.

Student Assessment

Students demonstrate their learning through successful participation in pole construction, testing and observation, and the creation of accurate, sequential instructional posters that communicate the engineering process.

Students testing their poles

(Image has been modified to conceal students identity)

Left: Harvested bamboo Right: Bamboo growing at JES