An important note from Mrs. Polay:
When debating assigning these projects for homework, I realized that these at-home challenges lack some of the crucial components of S.T.E.A.M. education - collaboration, focus on content, and communication. My purpose in assigning them at home, is to give my scholars more practice using critical thinking skills, creativity, and practice executing the design process. We will reflect on the challenges and share our thoughts on this website in coming months. We will go deeper in the learning the content - the why - on some, but not all of these tasks. Please let me know what you think. :)
When debating assigning these projects for homework, I realized that these at-home challenges lack some of the crucial components of S.T.E.A.M. education - collaboration, focus on content, and communication. My purpose in assigning them at home, is to give my scholars more practice using critical thinking skills, creativity, and practice executing the design process. We will reflect on the challenges and share our thoughts on this website in coming months. We will go deeper in the learning the content - the why - on some, but not all of these tasks. Please let me know what you think. :)
At-Home Projects
Choose one project and complete the Think Like an Engineer sheet. If possible, have someone take a picture or a video of you completing the task and email it to me. You can also bring in what you made.
You MUST complete the ASK, IMAGINE, and PLAN sections before you test your design. Fill in the date and time you started each section.
You MUST complete the ASK, IMAGINE, and PLAN sections before you test your design. Fill in the date and time you started each section.
Project Menu
Paper Cup: Create a cup that can hold as much water as possible for at least 10 seconds from just one sheet of paper.
Marble Run: Using a cardboard box and cardboard struts or cardboard toilet paper/paper towel tubes, make a marble run that runs at least 30 seconds. Click here for more information - but, note the time change... The document says it must run for 60 seconds. You can try for 60, but it must run for at least 30 seconds.
Squirt Gun Boat Race: Construct a boat out of any of these or other similar materials: craft sticks, straws, aluminum foil, cardboard scraps. Time yourself as you use a small squirt gun to make it move 12 inches. Try to beat your time.
Gingerbread Man Trap: Create a trap that can catch and hold one gingerbread man cookie (about 3 inches by 2 inches). Be creative with the materials you use.
Paper Chair: Create a chair that can hold a small to medium-sized stuffed animal using only paper and tape.
House of Cards: What is the tallest structure you can build using only one deck of playing cards?
100 Building Blocks: What is the tallest tower you can build using exactly 100 building blocks?
Paper Structure: Build a paper structure that can hold a text book at least 12 inches above the tabletop for at least 30 seconds.
Candy Corn Catapult: Build a catapult that will launch candy corns or something of similar size. Use materials from around the house and make your own design, or borrow a design - click here. How far does the catapult shoot the candy corn?
Spider Web: Build a realistic spider web using only one container of dental floss. (No other materials.)
Marble Run: Using a cardboard box and cardboard struts or cardboard toilet paper/paper towel tubes, make a marble run that runs at least 30 seconds. Click here for more information - but, note the time change... The document says it must run for 60 seconds. You can try for 60, but it must run for at least 30 seconds.
Squirt Gun Boat Race: Construct a boat out of any of these or other similar materials: craft sticks, straws, aluminum foil, cardboard scraps. Time yourself as you use a small squirt gun to make it move 12 inches. Try to beat your time.
Gingerbread Man Trap: Create a trap that can catch and hold one gingerbread man cookie (about 3 inches by 2 inches). Be creative with the materials you use.
Paper Chair: Create a chair that can hold a small to medium-sized stuffed animal using only paper and tape.
House of Cards: What is the tallest structure you can build using only one deck of playing cards?
100 Building Blocks: What is the tallest tower you can build using exactly 100 building blocks?
Paper Structure: Build a paper structure that can hold a text book at least 12 inches above the tabletop for at least 30 seconds.
Candy Corn Catapult: Build a catapult that will launch candy corns or something of similar size. Use materials from around the house and make your own design, or borrow a design - click here. How far does the catapult shoot the candy corn?
Spider Web: Build a realistic spider web using only one container of dental floss. (No other materials.)
Have an idea for a challenge? Please let me know!
Think Like an Engineer
ASK: What is the problem? How have others approached it? What are your constraints?
IMAGINE: What are some solutions? Brainstorm ideas. Choose the best one.
PLAN: Draw a diagram. Make lists of materials you will need.
CREATE: Follow your plan and create something. Test it out!
IMPROVE: What works? What doesn't? What could work better? Modify your designs to make it better.
Test it out!
IMAGINE: What are some solutions? Brainstorm ideas. Choose the best one.
PLAN: Draw a diagram. Make lists of materials you will need.
CREATE: Follow your plan and create something. Test it out!
IMPROVE: What works? What doesn't? What could work better? Modify your designs to make it better.
Test it out!
