Engineering week is quickly approaching, providing an excellent opportunity to introduce students to the exciting world of engineering, how it has shaped our world, and give them insight into a possible career choice. To connect your program to engineering, you can simply provide some building blocks and Connex sets and call it a day. Even with minimal effort, you will be amazed by the creativity of your students.
This year, I want to be a little more focused and give my students an actual challenge. One of my favorite engineering materials to use with my middle schoolers is Strawbees. All it consists of are a lot of straws and connectors, and with a little bit of ingenuity and creativity, you can build anything.
Challenge Options
I am going to challenge my students to build a Geodesic Dome that can hold the weight of a book. If you really want to push your students, provide them with a few links about geodesic dome construction and let them figure it out. Since I haven’t gotten Strawbees out this year yet, I am going to give them a little more guidance by providing the following instructions:
Materials Needed:
- Strawbees connectors
- Straws (preferably of the same length)
- Scissors (if you need to cut straws to size)
- Tape (optional, for extra stability)
Instructions:
- Prepare Your Materials:
- Gather all your Strawbees connectors and straws. Ensure you have enough to complete the dome. For a basic geodesic dome, you will need around 35 straws and 30 connectors.
- Build the Base:
- Create a pentagon shape using 5 straws and 5 connectors. Connect the ends of the straws with the connectors to form a closed loop.
- Add the First Layer:
- Attach a straw to each connector of the pentagon base, pointing upwards.
- Connect the tops of these straws with additional straws to form triangles. You should now have a ring of triangles around the pentagon base.
- Build the Second Layer:
- From each connector at the top of the triangles, attach another straw pointing upwards.
- Connect these new straws with additional straws to form another ring of triangles. This layer will be smaller than the first.
- Form the Dome:
- Continue adding straws and connectors in the same manner, reducing the size of each layer until you reach the top.
- The final layer should form a small pentagon or triangle at the top of the dome.
- Reinforce the Structure:
- Check all connections to ensure they are secure. You can use tape to reinforce any loose connections if needed.
- Test the Dome:
- Gently press down on the top of the dome to test its strength. It should be able to support a small amount of weight, such as a small book.
Tips:
- Make sure all straws are of equal length for a symmetrical dome.
- Work slowly and carefully to ensure all connections are secure.
- If the dome is unstable, check for any loose connections and reinforce them with tape.
Conclusion
Engineering Week is a fantastic opportunity to engage students in hands-on learning and inspire them to explore the field of engineering. By providing structured challenges like building a geodesic dome with Strawbees, students can develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. This activity not only makes learning fun but also gives students a glimpse into the world of engineering and its endless possibilities. Encourage your students to experiment, ask questions, and most importantly, enjoy the process of creating and learning. Happy Engineering Week!
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