S.T.E.M Challenge - The Tow Challenge
Grade/Level: 7th
Time Allotment: The total duration of The Tow Challenge is 60 minutes. In this time, the person in charge of the class will allocate time as follows:
5 minutes: explanation of the challenge and QA off from such explanation.
5 minutes: present the materials that can be used in the challenge.
45 minutes: students completing the challenge.
5 minutes: open discussion among the students.
Type of Technology: Construction, forces, Math, and Physics
Challenge:
Each group within the class is challenged to Tow a 4-wheeled dolly with the rest of the class standing on it.
Essential Question or Problem to be Solved:
Can you build a towing mechanism using only the provided materials?
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the science and physics behind pull forces.
- Understand the different strengths of materials.
- Calculate the force needed to pull a given weight.
- Use and understand the Engineering Design Process when creating a structure.
- Openly discuss their experimentation findings with their classmates to reiterate and come up with a better solution.
Materials:
Teacher Materials:
- Masking Tape (2)
- Measuring Tape (1)
- Sharpie/Marker (1)
- 4 wheeled dolly (1 - big enough to hold at least 4 students/2 teachers on top of it)
Team Materials:
- Sheets of newspaper (50 pages of US Broadsheet newspapers)
-
Sharpie/Marker (1)
- Straws (10)
- Scissors (1)
- Rope (1 foot)
- Masking Tape (3 Feet)
- Aluminum Foil (1)
-
Letter-sized sheets (3)