Eight young engineers came together on August 29 for a 901STEM stuffed-animal tower challenge.
Working in two teams, the students were asked to design and build a tower capable of supporting a stuffed-animal passenger. The challenge encouraged them to explore structure, stability and balance while practicing teamwork and communication.
As our facilitators demonstrated the activity, only one tower withstood the test, which we used as a lesson in learning from failure and not getting discouraged.
The students discovered that the first design is rarely the final design. Towers leaned, materials shifted and teams made adjustments based on what they observed. Each new attempt gave them more information to use.
Both teams were successful in supporting our guest participants, Mr. Pickles and Napoleon, with the winning tower reaching nearly two feet tall!
The experience also helped the 901STEM team learn more about pacing, materials and the kinds of guidance that help students remain engaged without taking ownership of the challenge away from them.
Workshops like this are helping us shape affordable, welcoming STEM experiences in which every student has an opportunity to contribute.
Thanks to everyone who helped make the workshop possible.
Leave a Reply