Engineering Challenge 1
Marble Chute

Activity Overview

Children are drawn to problem-solving and exploring the world through science, technology, engineering, art and math. STEAM can be an encouraging and intriguing way to support early math development and many other important skills. When engaged in hands-on, problem-based activities that support STEAM learning, young children remain curious, focused, communicative, and active for long periods of time. Challenges such as this one allow practice in critical thinking, design, independence, frustration tolerance, delayed gratification and creativity.

What You Need

• Min Makes a Machine by Emily Arnold McCully on Epic!

• Engineering Challenge: Week 1 prompt

• A collection of Maker Materials to work with (see challenge prompt for the specific list of what you will need)

Steps

1. Read Min Makes a Machine by Emily Arnold McCully. Notice and wonder about how Min built a machine as a solution for a problem.

2. Follow the instructions in Engineering Challenge: Week 1.

3. Collect your materials and follow the steps to build your own machine.

4. Reflect on the process using the guiding questions below.

Guiding Questions

• Why should we create solutions to problems we see around us?

• What steps do we take to solve problems?

• How do the pieces work together to get the marble / ball to move?

• What felt hard when you were making your project?

• What items did you select and how did they work in your project?

• Is there anything you would do differently to change your project or make it better?

• What other problems would your machine help to solve?

Extensions

• Explore the Engineering Challenge Project Bank, and try out a different prompt each day.