1.What is the engineering principle that the children will learn?

Principles of structural integrity and support structures and the realities of the construction industry (time and material constraints)

2.What is the activity?

The activity involves children working in groups to build a structure that will support an object.

The goal of the activity will be to build the highest structure which will support the said object.

The students will be given various items to use as building blocks and adhesive agents

Examples of materials are toothpicks, pop-sicle sticks, straws, balsa wood, and Q-tips.

Examples of adhesives are play-doh, clay, raisins, peas, glue, tape, and gum-drops.

3.What age group is the activity designed for?

The activity is designed for children ranging from the 5th - 8th grade depending on the scope of the objective and materials provided.

4.What will the children do and how will they learn by doing your activity?

1) The children will learn teamwork, and group thinking.

2) They will learn the concept of support structures

3) They will learn which materials used together make the strongest structure

4) They will also learn how to fail

5.What will be in the activity box?

The activity box will contain a given amount of all the materials needed for the specified task and directions to accomplish it. (Age dependent i.e. toothpicks & gumdrops vs. balsa wood & glue)

6.How does your activity meet the requirements given above?

Building structures is an engaging engineering activity

Construction and problem solving skills are employed (Engineers do these things)

Being competitive appeals to most children, and the creativity involved with problem solving also caters to a number of students.

Students will work in several groups, so all of the children will participate.

Using the aforementioned household materials do not pose any danger to children. Younger children can be given edible adhesives as to reduce the risk of a kid eating glue

Universal design principles are achieved because the children have to design as well as build their structures.

The materials needed to complete the task are not big bulky, or dangerous, and can be easily placed in a box and transported in a car.