Framing
Introduction (5 minutes)
Welcome students back, and tell them that today they will be exploring using cardboard and other maker materials to complete a design challenge.
Hold up a piece of cardboard and invite students to share objects they can think of made from this material (e.g., cereal boxes). Facilitate a discussion with students about what makes cardboard a helpful material to build with.
- We can recycle cardboard.
- There is a lot of it, and it is easy to find.
- It is lightweight and easy to cut, shape, and fold.
- It is sturdy.
Hold up a piece of chipboard, and ask the class how the chipboard is similar and different to cardboard. Bring out the key point that it has a lot of the same properties, and is just thinner, easier to bend/cut cardboard.
Exploration (5 minutes)
Tell students they will be exploring new ideas that will challenge them to use teamwork, consider how other people think/feel, and will require them to reflect on the skills they are learning.
Introduce the concept that we are all makers, using our minds and bodies to create, build, and test ideas every day. Show students the graphic of Mind of a Maker (see slide 2).
Remind students about the discussion they had in the previous class about being makers, and tell them that they will practice these essential mindsets that will encourage them to take risks and be creative.
Introduce the Engineering Design Process and tell students that today they will work through these stages in a rapid design challenge.
Maker Project (30 minutes)
Now, we’ll use tools to cut cardboard and then try learning some cardboard construction techniques.
Demonstrate using a Klever Cutter to cut and score cardboard and mention that scissors are available at the tables. Model how to use the hole punch and encourage students to work with a partner if using this tool on their own is difficult. Give students 2 minutes to try using at least one of these tools.
Hot Glue Gun Use
Show the class the hot glue gun, and point out safety strategies for using it. Demonstrate how to refill when the glue stick is running low.
- Never touch the point, or the glue right after it comes out.
- The glue guns should be placed on the trays when they are not being used.
- Put glue on the larger object, and then attach the smaller object, so that you are less likely to glue your hands.
- Use a craft stick to help hold an item in the hot glue for a few seconds.
- If you get burned, run under cold water.
Challenge Procedure (20 min build, 3 min for testing – 23 min total)
Your challenge is to use 2 different cardboard construction techniques to create a wacky and unique chair that can support a 2-pound weight! Your chair should be at least 8 inches tall. You can use the Klever cutters, scissors, and hot glue to build a 3D chair out of the 2D materials. (see slide 4)
- Before students start building, have them take a few minutes to draw their designs. Prompt students to begin sketching and check in with a teacher to ensure they have a plan before they gather materials.
- Check-in with students during building and provide time reminders. Encourage students to build a functional prototype before adding decorations and to test their chair with the weight. They can also use a ruler to make sure their chair is at least 8 inches high.
- Students should iterate and make adjustments after measuring and testing with the weight. As students work, talk to them about the steps of the Engineering Design Process that they are working through, pointing out the slides on the screen.
- Give a 5-minute time warning after 15 minutes. Tell students to write their name on their chair.
- 5 minutes before the wrap-up, have students stop building. Regroup and prompt students to test their chairs. Testing can occur as a full group, pair share style, or at tables (structure to fit your group’s needs).
- Tell students it is okay if their chair is not done or is not able to hold the weight. This was a rapid build challenge that allowed us to quickly work through the Engineering Design Process. Allow each student to test out their chair with a weight. Have them measure their chair to see if it is at least 8 inches high.
Adaptations
- Support students to help them conceptualize building a 3D model from a 2D sketch by asking them to label their sketch or to show you with scrap material how the pieces will fit together.
Wrap-Up
Clean (2 minutes)
Direct students to save their projects. Instruct students to clean up their area by returning any extra materials to the materials table and throwing away any trash.
Reflection (3 minutes)
Ask guided questions (slide 5) that encourage reflection on their work today and more general reflection. Have a few students share. Some examples are:
- What was the most challenging thing you did today? Why?
- Who used perseverance while they were building? How?
- What cardboard construction techniques did you learn? How can you use these techniques to build other projects?
Preview Next Activity
In the next activity, students will be exploring how simple machines work.