Procedure

• Read story
• Talk about use of 4C’s in the story
• Talk about importance of planning
• Break class into groups of 3-4

Directions to Students

• Your Engineering Team has been asked to use 15 pipe-cleaners to build the tallest, freestanding tower that can hold a ping pong ball.
• Measurements will be taken from the base of the structure to the middle of the ball.
• You only have 10 minutes

During the building process add and remove these challenges

• “Your team had an unexpected budget cut, and one of your machines has stopped working. Each team member must now put one arm behind his/her back”
• “Your engineering company realized that the machine malfunction was detrimental to the product. The manager has decided to expand your operations globally to bring in more business. All of your machines are up and running, but because of the global expansion your company does not speak the same language. Continue the construction WITHOUT ANY VERBAL COMMUNICATION”
• “Business is booming, and your company has hired a translator. You may now speak and use both hands”
• Measure to the middle of the ping pong ball
• Discuss challenges and ways to get around these challenges as a group