This Term, Year 4 students have been studying Design Technology and learning about the different stages of the design process. They have been challenged to work collaboratively in groups to create the tallest tower and then the strongest bridge using only popsicle sticks, toothpicks, blue tack, modelling clay and small amounts of masking tape.
To be successful in these activities, the students have been applying what they have learned about material properties and how to strengthen, stiffen and stabilise parallelograms with triangles/tetrahedrons. They have had to cooperatively develop strategies to be efficient with their time and problem-solve when things aren’t working. Often, an idea doesn’t work, and the students must work out WHY it isn’t working, pull it all apart and try a new idea or strategy. They quickly learn what does and doesn’t work.
It was quite rewarding to see many of the students develop strategies to efficiently work together once they had perfected various parts of the design. There was much excitement and triumphant cheers when they finally worked out how to make something work.