Building Challenges: More than Tallest, Strongest, Fastest

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Building ChallengesMore than Tallest,
Strongest, Fastest
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Marshmallow Challenge Build the Tallest
Freestanding Structure

• The top of the entire Marshmallow is the top
• Use as much or as little of only the kit
• Break up the spaghetti, string or tape
• The challenge lasts 18 minutes
• Teams cannot hold on to the structure when the
  time runs out. Those touching or supporting the
  structure at the end of the exercise will be
  disqualified.

Alternate Boat Activity
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Marshmallow Challenge

• Why would you use the activity?
• How would you use this activity?
• When would you use this activity?

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Marshmallow Challenge

• Lets hear from the experts
• TED Talks, www.ted.com

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Marshmallow Challenge, purpose

• As described by Tom Wujec, what is the main
  purpose of doing the Marshmallow Challenge?

• Importance of Prototyping
• Finding the hidden marshmallow (in your
  endeavors).
• When am I missing something?
• Am I assuming something that I dont recognize I
  am assuming?

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Building Challenges, Why?

• Big Ideas / Content / Curriculum Goal for which
  to use a challenge
• Prototyping
• Assumptions
• Physics/ Forces

• Creativity
• Writing prompt
• Collaboration

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Factors for a good activity

• Time limit
• Uh oh factor
• Prototyping importance
• Continued success
• Collaboration

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Variations Build a

• Formula
• Story
• Equation
• Schematic
• Something that solves a problem

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Variations Resources

• More resources
• http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_c
  ha_ei.html
• http//www.exploratorium.edu/structures/
•  
• Computer simulations
• http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/build-bridge-p1.
  html
• Google search bridge, building, games,
  challenge, simulation, physics olympics

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Post-Challenge Activities

• Debriefing

  Structure Team
What worked?    
What to improve?    
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Post-Challenge Activities

• Journaling
• Defining success
• Drawing, (forces, angles)
• Re-plan, Re-do
• Making connections to topic/standard

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Brain Happiness, What makes these FUN?

• Decision making
• Constructing and designing
• Social interaction
• Competition
• Completion and success
• Tool creation

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When can we do Building Challenges?

• Fridays?
• Holidays?
• Video days?
• May?
• Before a concept?
• Anytime!!!!

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Building ChallengesMore than Tallest,
Strongest, Fastest