Start Here!
1
WATCH
Challenge Intro
1-3 Min
2
WONDER
Before you build
3-5 Min
3
BUILD
Create & Explore
20-30 Min
4
TEST
Test your design
5-10 Min
5
TALK
What do we see?
5-10 Min
6
TWEAK
Make it better
10-20 Min
Challenge question:
What is the tallest tower you can build to support a real apple? Bonus! Can your tower ALSO be interesting to look at on all sides?
1
Watch
Challenge Intro
Project Intro (1-3 Min)
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Watch closely
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Look for clues
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Get Curious
Potential supplies
Reusable Supplies
Scissors
Cardboard cutter
Hot glue gun station
Hole punch
Ruler or measuring tape
Consumable Supplies
Paper
Notecards
Tape
Pipecleaners
String
Assortment of craft
Recycling
Toilet paper rolls
Cardboard
Paper egg cartons
Bottle caps
"Potential" meaning this is what we used. We create all of our projects with supply flexibility. Adjust with what you have easily available.
Teacher tip!
Kids get stuck when they look for the "right" answer. ASK questions that prompt small changes and ENCOURAGE testing often.
Before you build (3-5 Min)
How do we build tall, but still have a tower that is strong and can support weight?
What are the best shapes for adding strength to the base of your tower?
"I'm not good at drawing, I can't make things pretty or interesting to look at?" --Random student
What are some examples of repetition in art that can make something interesting to look at?
Can repetition of lines, dots, paper balls, shapes, beads, pipe cleaners, etc. be interesting to look at?
Before you build
wonder
2
Differentiate
Strarter Mode
Use fewer materials
Challenge
Add a constraint
Level Up
Add a new function or design feature
Let's get started! (20-30 Min)
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Create a quick sketch. Get ideas out of your heads, but we don't need the Mona Lisa.
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Assign jobs -- Who will do what?
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Gather supplies
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Build
3
Build
Sketch & Create
See what happens
4
Test DURING construction and at the END (10-15 Min)
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TEST OFTEN
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Test designs with your group (no adult needed) while you work
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Little failures along the way are GREAT. This is how you quickly learn what works and what doesn't AND learning by doing keeps the information nice and sticky in your brain
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FINAL TEST at the end as a whole group or class. With time, you can add a little competition for the strongest, tallest, most unique, uses the least amount of materials, etc.
test
What do we see?
Share Designs (5-15 Min)
Ask questions, listen, and solve problems together DURING construction AND at the END. Share what worked, what didn’t, and what was learned from both successes and failures.
Options for END discussions:
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(10-15 Min) Each group presents to the class: Tell us 1 success and 1 struggle
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(5-10 Min) Gallery walk around the classroom with completed designs set out on tables. Students only share positives as they walk! Regroup, teacher selects as many students as time allows to share a positive comment about a design they liked
5
talk
Make it better
6
Make a change to improve your design (10-20 Min)
Use what you learned from testing and talking to make it better. This should be done DURING construction and at the END. What might "better" mean?
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Stronger
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Taller
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Sturdier
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Cleaner Craftsmanship