Embedded Files
Brainflakes are colorful, interlocking plastic discs that allow students to build two-dimensional and three-dimensional designs. Students can connect the pieces to create patterns, shapes, structures, characters, and models while developing creativity, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Brainflakes provide an engaging, hands-on way to reinforce reading, mathematics, science, and engineering concepts through purposeful building activities.
Quick Look
Quick Look
Grades: 5-6
Subjects: Reading • Math • Science • STEAM
Prep Time: 5–10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Best For: Engineering challenges • Geometry • Reading comprehension • Problem-solving • Design thinking
📚 READY-TO-TEACH LESSONS
📚 READY-TO-TEACH LESSONS
📚 READY-TO-TEACH LESSONS
📖 Engineering a Solution: Design from Informational Text
Grades 5–6 • Reading • 50–60 min
Students read an informational passage about engineering and structural design, identify important concepts and supporting evidence, and apply what they learn to construct a Brainflakes structure. Students explain their design decisions using information from the text.
📐 Structural Engineers: Design, Measure, and Optimize
Grades 5–6 • Math • 50–60 min
Students design and construct structures under specific constraints, measure dimensions, analyze ratios and proportional relationships where appropriate, and compare the efficiency of different designs. Students use mathematical evidence to justify improvements.
What This Tool Helps You Do
What This Tool Helps You Do
Apply mathematical reasoning to engineering challenges
Strengthen reading comprehension using informational texts
Explore geometric properties and measurement
Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Introduce optimization and engineering constraints
Support collaborative investigation and evidence-based explanations
Reinforce the engineering design process
Connect classroom learning to real-world applications
How to Use This Tool
How to Use This Tool
Introduce the design challenge and its academic learning objectives.
Establish specific constraints, such as piece limits, height requirements, or testing conditions.
Ask students to analyze information, sketch designs, and predict outcomes.
Have students construct their models individually or in teams.
Test structures using consistent measurement procedures.
Record data and compare results.
Allow students to revise their designs based on evidence.
Require written explanations supported by measurements, observations, or textual evidence.
Classroom Ideas
Classroom Ideas
Design structures that maximize height while maintaining stability
Build models inspired by informational texts
Investigate how structural shapes affect strength
Compare designs using ratios and measurements
Construct models of ecosystems or scientific processes
Complete engineering challenges with limited materials
Create scaled representations where practical
Evaluate and improve designs based on test results
Reading
Reading
Analyze informational texts about engineering and architecture
Identify central ideas and supporting details
Use textual evidence to explain design decisions
Compare two approaches to solving an engineering problem
Write explanations connecting scientific concepts to models
Evaluate whether a design reflects information from a source
Math
Math
Measure and compare dimensions of structures
Calculate ratios involving materials and design outcomes
Explore geometric properties and spatial relationships
Analyze numerical data from structural tests
Use tables and graphs to compare design performance
Investigate area, perimeter, and volume using appropriate supplementary models
Solve multi-step problems involving measurement and constraints
SCience
SCience
Investigate forces, stability, and structural strength
Test how different designs respond to applied loads
Explore cause-and-effect relationships through controlled testing
Develop and revise engineering models
Compare materials and construction techniques
Analyze test results to improve performance
Materials Needed
Materials Needed
Brainflakes construction sets
Rulers or measuring tapes
Graph paper and pencils
Grade-appropriate informational passages
Engineering challenge cards
Small test weights and trays
Student design and data-recording sheets
Helpful Tips
Helpful Tips
Establish measurable design criteria before students begin building.
Keep testing conditions consistent across groups.
Encourage students to justify their design decisions with evidence.
Require sketches and data collection throughout the activity.
Use limited materials to encourage efficiency and creativity.
Provide opportunities for redesign and improvement.
Assign team roles during collaborative challenges.
Focus assessment on reasoning, evidence, and problem-solving rather than appearance.
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