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Every week, I will post at least one new engineering challenge (usually 1 hour's worth of work). I will post all the details in our "Engineering Challenges" Google Doc (linked below as well) and will also post it directly on this website.
Challenges Posted So Far:
Challenge #1: Mascots!
Challenge #2: Animal Redesign!
Challenge #3: Gliders!
**NEW THIS WEEK** Challenge #4: Homemade Musical Instruments (Maracas & Harmonicas)
Please send in photos and videos of student work in progress to aradeva@mttam.org if you would like feedback or post them directly into the Padlet for that Challenge.
Challenges are not "due" - they are all completely optional. I will keep all Challenges posted on this website so that you can keep accessing and skip around. You are welcome to do activities in any order and to pick and choose. I recommend spending an hour on engineering per week, but you are welcome to do more and welcome to do less. My goal is for students to have fun and problem-solve as they design, build, and test.
All Challenges Listed in Google Doc Below:
All Challenges Listed in Google Doc Below:
**NEW** Challenge #4: Musical Instruments
**NEW** Challenge #4: Musical Instruments
**Check out the Engineering Challenges Google Doc above for a summary of this challenge and more links.**
Recommended videos/readings to develop background knowledge:
Navigate to the Scholastic Learn from Home website for Grades 1-2 and Navigate to Week 1, Day 3: Physical Science: Sound and Music.
Click on "TAKE ME THERE" to listen to the book “Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!” read to you. Once you follow the link, click on “Watch this Story”.
Practice reading yourself using the book “All About Sound!”. To get there, click on “Read the Book” on the same page.
Look below for step-by-step guides for building Maracas and Harmonicas. Consider how you can make your own version of a drum, guitar, or another instrument.
Post student work on our K-2 Musical Instruments Padlet: https://padlet.com/aradeva1/musicengineeringMTS
Scholastic "Learn From Home" Website should take you to this investigation.
Scholastic "Learn From Home" Website should take you to this investigation.
Navigate to Week 1, Day 3!
How To Make Homemade Maracas!
How To Make Homemade Maracas!
Vibrations in the air make sound. These homemade maracas make sound when you shake them back and forth so that the filling (rice, beans, etc) inside the maraca vibrates.
Goals for Maracas Challenge
Goals for Maracas Challenge
Supplies for Maracas
Supplies for Maracas
*if you don't have easter eggs, try to use a small box or something else that will close firmly.
Step 1: Choose your filling
Step 1: Choose your filling
*consider what you want in your maracas - rice, beans, sand, small pebbles are all great ideas.
*You can even create more than one set of Maracas and try different fillings!
Step 2: Close & tape your egg
Step 2: Close & tape your egg
Step 3: Attach & tape spoons
Step 3: Attach & tape spoons
Step 4: Test it out!
Step 4: Test it out!
Can you feel the vibration? What is it caused by?
How To Make a Homemade Harmonica
How To Make a Homemade Harmonica
Vibrations in the air make sound. These harmonicas make sound because the air you blow into them vibrates the rubber band in the middle. The pitch (how high or low) of your harmonica is based on how fast your rubber band vibrates. Changing the length of the rubber band will change the sound. Try it out! Consider making more than one harmonica and using different sized rubber bands and popsicle sticks. Is the sound different?
*Note: Real-life harmonicas are made with reeds instead of rubber bands.
Tongue Depressor Harmonicas.K-2.pdfTongue Depressor Harmonica Instructions
Tongue Depressor Harmonica Instructions
Download these instructions in PDF format using the image/link to the left!
You will need:
-2 tongue depressors (popsicle sticks)
-1 long rubber band
-2 smaller/shorter rubber bands
-Notecard/cardstock
-Tape/scissors
More on Challenge #3: Gliders
More on Challenge #3: Gliders
Check out the Engineering Challenges Google Doc above for all the info!
Here are some more tools to support you as you design and build paper airplane gliders!
Post student work on our K-2 Gliders Padlet: https://padlet.com/aradeva1/glidersMTS
Glider Instructions.pdfInstructions for Gliders Challenge
Instructions for Gliders Challenge
Supplies for Gliders Challenge
Supplies for Gliders Challenge
More on Challenge #2: Animal Design
More on Challenge #2: Animal Design
Check out the Engineering Challenges Google Doc above for all the info!
Share work by posting on our K-2 Padlet: https://padlet.com/aradeva1/animalchallengeMTS
Optional Engineering Activities & Explorations
Optional Engineering Activities & Explorations
Candy Maze Activity - Design and build a "sweet" maze out of gummy candy.
Candy Maze Activity - Design and build a "sweet" maze out of gummy candy.
**If you don't want to use candy, use playdough or model magic!
Gather a tray, starbursts, candy worms, and other supplies to build a candy maze or pinball game. Test it out with a marble (or skittle!) to see if you can make it to the end. Tilt the maze back and forth to keep the marble moving, or use a popsicle stick as a golf "putter".
Send us photos of your work! Email us at aradeva@mttam.org and wokeefe@mttam.org
Outdoor Explorations
Outdoor Explorations
If you feel safe exploring outdoors with your child (social isolation in nature?!), explore the resources below to guide your nature exploration. I encourage you to download the app Seek by iNaturalist (developed by Cal Academy) and to use the Family Nature Guide below to structure your exploration. As always, photos of student work and exploration are welcome - send to aradeva@mttam.org & wokeefe@mttam.org.
Backyard Wilderness Family Activity Guide.pdfBioblitz Guide.pdfSeek by iNaturalist App Overview.pdfPage updated
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