Maker Monday: Tower Building Challenge

Construction of new buildings and public works projects is typically met with setbacks and obstacles along the way. This fun group activity from Carnegie Science Center: Science on the Road allows kids to experience those kind of challenging conditions while working on a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) project.

Kids are encouraged to work in small groups designing and constructing their pipe-cleaner tower while managing and adapting to changing standards. This activity works best in groups of 3 or 4, administered by an adult. The more groups the more fun, but just a few friends or siblings can work at home. This engineering challenge is good for grades 3 to 6.

Materials for each group:

20 pipe-cleaners

Pencils

Paper

Tape measure

Clock, watch or timer

Using the pencil and paper the group will work together to design a tower that must stand at least 12 inches high. Keep in mind, the tower must be free-standing and completed in 20 minutes or less.

Planning is an important part of the engineering process. Encourage the groups to think of other shapes and structures to reference that are tall and stable. They have 5 minutes to brainstorm and sketch.

Groups begin work on their towers. After about 2 minutes ask for all work to stop and announce the following:

“We have just received a notice from the finance department of our engineering firm. Your budget has been cut. Effective immediately, you now have only 15 pipe cleaners with which to build your towers.” Go around to each group and remove 5 pipe cleaners.

Work continues. After 3 more minutes, ask for all work to stop and announce the following:

“We have just found out that a portion of this project is now being managed by a company from another country. Their engineers do not speak the same language that you do. So, starting now, all team members are forbidden to speak or write and your team must find other ways to communicate.”

After 3 more minutes, ask for all work to stop and announce the following: “We have just received a memo from the Human Resources department at our engineering firm. We have to reduce your workforce by 50 percent!  Starting now, each team member must work with one hand behind his or her back. All the other reductions are still in place.”

After 4 more minutes have passed, announce that time is up. Measure all of the standing towers.

Regardless of height, congratulate all teams on their successful tower completion. Try to point out something interesting about the varying design choices and/or how the groups adapted to the mounting limitations being placed on them.

For more Maker Monday projects and other fun ideas, visit the Kidsburgh  Activities Page.

If you have fun craft projects your kids love, please share them with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.