Learning Outcomes from the Engineering Design Challenge
Annie Conner
A lot of planning and effort goes into a school-wide activity like the annual Engineering Design Challenge at Clairbourn. Middle School Science Teacher Joanna Kibbe is the person who coordinates this multi-grade activity. It involves picking the right concept to explore, assembling a ton of supplies into kits for each student team (enough to rebuild twice), and lots of scheduling and coordination of the building and testing opportunities. It also involves finding industry experts who can come on campus to speak and work with the students during the Design Challenge Week. Here are some numbers that show the scope of what is involved, followed by some learning take-aways from some of the students involved:
Fun Numbers from the Clairbourn Design Challenge Week:
24,800 craft sticks used
1,600 paper clips used
800 hot glue sticks used
1,600 index cards used
640 rubber bands used
2,400 straws used
97 lbs. of sand, nails, pebbles, cement, and pennies (making up the weights to test the bridges)
A number of awesome middle school bundlers who helped make the identical design kits for the students
2 engineers in residence
8 grade levels of excellent engineers (grades 1-8)
What Students Had to Say About the Learning Outcomes of the 2019 Design Challenge:
Clairbourn students were asked “What did you learn about building bridges or something that stood out from the building process?”
I learned that bridges need a lot of support. - Mark L., 1st Grade
You have to make sure the bottom is more supportive, and it should be even on both sides. – Aimee N., 2nd Grade
If you think negatively about your bridge and think it won’t make it, it probably won’t. - Ruby Z. 3rd Grade
We all had to work on different things, and that made it easier and quicker to get things done. Carson P., 3rd Grade
I learned that we have to compromise. - Emily K., 3rd Grade
Think about it before you actually make it—especially from the beginning—because you can always improve. – Anderson G., 4th Grade
You can’t waste your supplies otherwise you won’t have anything to add support. – Jason Q., 4th Grade
Plan ahead and think before you do anything. - Annabelle C., 5th Grade
Triangles are best for bridge-making. They make the bridge really strong. – Andy H., 5th Grade
Even if your bridge might have failed, at least you still tried. -Zachary Z., 5th Grade
I never knew that popsicle sticks can hold so much. They can hold 7 lbs! – Sarah I., 6th Grade
I learned about supporting bridges, and that string is actually pretty strong and held things up pretty well. I also learned how to work well with others. – Kelly Z., 6th Grade
You have to work very hard with your partner and work efficiently. –Brian X., 6th Grade
Our bridge failed, but I learned how not to get so mad and frustrated easily. -Suki Z., 6th Grade
I learned about symmetry – you don’t want it to tip over. – Kyle C., 7th Grade
Strings (cables) put tension into the bridge and help to hold the bridge up and support the base. -Alex L., 7th Grade
If you crisscross the strings it is more stable. -Jason L., 8th Grade
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