Challenge 3:Keeping track of 20 teams' projects at all stages of creation was a logistical challenge. We tried extension cords, but too many tripping hazards. We had to set up "gluing stations" by the outlets and teams rotated to use them. We've got new projects each month as students earn a new "badge" for their engineering notebooks.) Challenge 2:Electric outlets! our room used to be a third grade classroom and there simply are not enough conveniently located electric outlets for our glue guns. The only storage left in our classroom is overhead, so we will be hanging them from our ceiling to display and store them for the next several months. (Note- we're saving some of these finished bridges for our end of the year "Maker Fair" so the storage challenge continues. We quickly ran out of room and some projects had to live in the teacher's car between work sessions. Challenge 1: Space! Where to find enough space to store our projects as we created them was a big challenge, particularly since the room is shared by so many each week. We also have a total of 250 pre-kindergarten through Gr.5 students using our Makerspace classroom each week AND the same space is used to teach beginning readers each morning. Challenges: We had about 80 students doing this project simultaneously (two Grade 4 classes and two Grade 5). You'll notice that while many student teams incorporated truss bridges, most did their own adaptations to a basic truss design. So, thanks for letting us incorporate geometry, measurement, force and simple machines, as well as oral and written language development, collaboration, and problem-solving skills into a great month-long project. That is the Dakotah language for "we make things here." We used this project to teach the Engineering Process and also leveraged the hands-on learning to address math, science, and even language/English skills and goals. This was our first big project for our new Makerspace STEAM program, which we call Kaġapi Oyaƞke. Be creative with your design!Įxcellent tutorial- you helped us launch our first ever "Builder Badge" project for 80 Grade 4 and Grade 5 students at our tribal school. ![]() Draw your design on paper, and estimate the number of sticks you will need. A single support between two diagonal corners greatly strengthens a rectangle by turning it into two triangles." My design consists of two main bottom supports, and two across the top, and then a lot of triangles across the sides, the top and bottom, and going from the bottom of one side to the top of the other. In fact, one of the simplest ways to strengthen a rectangle is to add supports that form triangles at the rectangle's corners or across its diagonal length. Unlike a rectangle, a triangle cannot be deformed without changing the length of one of its sides or breaking one of its joints. In fact, according to the internet, "If there is a single most important shape in engineering, it is the triangle. More popsicle sticks doesn't necessarily mean a stronger bridge. Be sure to incorporate lots of triangles into your bridge design. A triangle spreads out weight and is much more stable than a simple rectangle or square support. Do some research, be creative, and remember - triangles are strong. ![]() There are many ways to build bridges, both real bridges and popsicle stick bridges.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |