Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

Jelly Babies’ Engineering Adventure (STEAM)

Resources

- A4 paper
- sellotape/glue stick
- scissors
- spaghetti (uncooked)
- marshmallows
- lollipop sticks
- elastic bands
- bottle cap and sticky dot/double sided tape OR plastic spoon
- a few of your favourite sweet as ‘treasure’ at the end

Instructions

Introduction / Icebreakers - 10 minutes

Setting the scene, backstory. Brief discussion about engineering.
‘Engineering is all about problem solving. Engineers tackle all sorts of problems that affect peoples’ lives and find solutions. For example, I am a civil engineer. (example of some real life engineering problems)’ show Jelly babies’ treasure map - 3 obstacles that may cause problems, we’ll have to be engineers to solve the problems and get to the treasure.

Activity 1 - 15 minutes - make the longest paper chain you can from 1 sheet of paper. use scissors and tape or glue.

stay on zoom, girls free to move around
there's a cliff face! we can see the path at the bottom, but how do we get down?
1 sheet of paper, lets make a ‘rope to get down’. how can we make a rope from paper? ask for suggestions.

plan before your start cutting anything

timed challenge, from ‘go’ girls have 10 minutes to make the longest paper chain they can from one sheet of paper

Activity 2 - 30-40 minutes - catapult from lollipop sticks, elastic bands, bottle top.

zoom room open if girls want to ask questions, but independent activity
everyone made it down. journey continues. reach the ravine. the bridge has broken! lets use some of the materials from the old bridge to get across. how could we get across?
make a catapult

make some suggestions. links to videos/pictures. girls free to try things out if feeling ambitious or follow along if need more support. zoom room open if questions/more help needed. if finish early, try out different methods,
what works best? how far can you launch a pompom/small piece of blu tack/ marshmallow - DO NOT FIRE AT ANYONE - IF POSSIBLE, TEST OUTSIDE
show what we made, discuss what types work best, any ideas how we could improve?

Activity 3 - 30-40 minutes - marshmallow and spaghetti towers

zoom room open if girls want to ask questions, but independent activity

we’ve reached the forest but the path ends. we’re lost!! lets build a tower to see over the trees and work out which way to go

towers from marshmallow and spaghetti

spaghetti is brittle.
triangles are strong shapes.
make a plan.
use several strands together to make it stronger.
shorter strands are less likely to break
altogether on screen make a square based pyramid. - this is a strong shape. try making several and join together.
step by step guide for those that want to follow it, otherwise, experiment and have fun!!

https://makefuncreating.com/posts/how-to-build-a-tall-spaghetti-and-marshmallow-tower/

Debrief/Discussion - 10 minutes

we reached the treasure and overcame three problems on the way! reward yourself with some of your favourite sweets!

recap to civil engineering - use of triangles in civil engineering
problem solving can be fun
planning vs taking action straight away
what was your favourite challenge? Did anything go badly? how could it work better if you did it again

Acknowledgement/Source
https://makefuncreating.com/posts/how-to-build-a-tall-spaghetti-and-marshmallow-tower/
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/popsicle-stick-catapult-kids-stem-activity/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/237635317816432602/
http://www.stormthecastle.com/catapult/popsiclestick-catapult.htm
https://medium.com/drax/paper-chain-challenge-596af0fb7299

Tags

• COVID 19
• engineering
• Octagon 2021
• online activity
• Problem solving
• Social distanced activity
• team building
• Zoom

Badge Links

This activity doesn't complete any badge requirements