Champions Build Marshmallow Towers!

Using just 50 toothpicks and 25 small marshallows, students were given two challenges:

1. How tall of a stucture could they build?
2. Could they build a structure with at least a three inch base that could support a standard box of Crayons?

Students were given 20 minutes to enginer their structures. They were able to build some very inpressive (and tall) sturctures. The highest was ten inches!

Most were able to build their stucture in a way to support a box of crayons.

Our last step was reflecting on what what we learned today in a short refelction essay.

Well done Champions!

Champions Build Extension Grabbers!

Today students were given two rulers, two feet of tape, two feet of string, 2 rubber bands, and a paper clip. The challenge was to engineer an extender that could pick up a few items from two feet away. The items were a pencil and a full box of crayons.

First we had a VTS discussion after looking at some images of "extension grabbers" and how they can be helpful in everyday life. Next, students were given the materials and time to engineer, test, and modify. Most students were able to meet the challenge. Once they were successful, they were encouraged to add another ruler for a further reach. One student was able to successfully reach from four feet away (4 rulers) with her extender.

Our last step was to reflect on what we learned in a short essay.
Well done Champions!

Champions Build Mini Elevators!

Today students engineered a one-foot tall elevator that could pull up to five small weights (washers). First we participated in a V.T.S. activity looking at various pulley systems.
Next we went over some key vocabulary such as "lift", "pulley system", "counter weight" and "cable".  We also watched a short video clip of the science behind the elevator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2duEzrOS6M

Then the students were presented with the following design challenge:

• Your engineering challenge today is to build a one-foot tall Lego structure that has a pulley system that can elevate five small washer weights. Materials to use are a bag of Lego's, two feet of string, a paper clip and a ruler.

Students talked about their design ideas and did a short amount of research on their net-books before building. 

Then it was time to build, test and modify to reach "Success!"!

Most students were able to engineer a solid structure that could pull up the goal of five small weights. Our last step was writing a reflection of what they engineered, how it performed, and what they learned from this activity. 

Well done Champions!

Champions Build Mini Hang Gliders

Today students engineered a mini hang glider using a note card, paper clip, tape and a Lego Figure. The challenge was to build a hang glider and see if it could "glide" at least four feet.

This challenge required students to test, modify and re-test. First we did a VTS activity looking at different hang glider designs. Next, students were given their set of materials and began building.

When they felt they were ready to test, they went outside and let their creations glide.
Many students needed to come back in class and modify, then retest.

Students did a great job!
After building, testing and modifying, students wrote a reflection of what they accomplished and learned today about hang gliders and gliding! The class record was 22 feet!
Well done Champions!

Champions Build Lego Bridges

Today student used the principals of building bridges from past challenges, but this time using Legos!The challenge was to build a Lego bridge that was at least five inches high and 8 or more inches wide. After they built their bridge, they applied 6 oz. washers on the bridge. All students were able to hold five or more washers. The class high score was ten washers! The last step was to write a reflection of what they engineered, learned and what they would do next time to make it even more stable!

Well done Champions!

Champions Engineer Lego Contraptions!

The challenge for today was to build a Lego Contraption at least one foot long that can guide a marble from top to bottom and land in a small cup. This is a similar challenge as a few weeks ago, but we used paper instead of Legos. They were able to use similar principles from the last build and apply them to today's challenge. Students were able to have a partner or work alone.

Students did a great job. One group was able to build a 2.5 foot long contraption. After engineering their contraptions, students wrote a reflection of what they created, learned and what they would like to learn more about. Well done Students!

Champions Build Note Card Bridges!

We took last weeks engineering principles and had the students make another note-card tower/ bridge with a new challenge! This time the bridge needed to be one foot high and able to take on weight ( a book/s).

First we watched a short video on the importance of the foundation of bridges, buildings and other structures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqXncSVbT00

Next, we had a VTS exercise using various images of bridges. Our next step was to build! Each team got 20 note-cards, one meter of tape and books (to use as weight).


                                      
Building and engineering....

and the class record...
(watch to see this exciting learning experience)

Students had no problem building the note-card bridges, and the bridges were able to support quite a bit of weight. The class high score of weight was 18 books!

Well done Champions!