Collaboratory Corner

Extraordinary Creations

Our Collaboratory Cubs are quickly becoming experts in working through the steps of the Engineering Design Process (Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Improve)!  Since we will be following these steps for all of our projects and challenges this year, it is important that the students understand the meaning behind and the expectations of each step of the process.

The students are always presented with a question during the "Ask" step of the process that focuses on a problem that needs to be solved.  Next, the students communicate and collaborate with their group members to "Imagine" different solutions to the problem.  Then, the students move on to the "Plan" step of the process, in which they select one of their solutions and start drafting their blueprints for that solution.  During the "Create" step, students follow the blueprints they sketched to actually build their creations with the provided materials.  Along the way, they may have to "Improve" their designs to make them the best that they can be.  

Our favorite way to practice using the steps of the Engineering Design Process is through using our Design Studio Extraordinaires program.  In this program, students learn about a variety of characters and then select a task card which challenges them to design and create something that will help that character in some way.  The Extraordinaires program is a really fun way to help students become comfortable with the steps of the Engineering Design Process while also focusing on empathy.  Take a look at some of their creations:

Once the students felt confident working through the steps of the Engineering Design Process, they were given an additional challenge that also focused on empathy, but it hit more close to home.  Students were presented with the following challenge:  How might you create something to help a TES staff member?  Their ideas were AMAZING, and it was so heart-warming to see how deeply the students cared about making a difference in the lives of our staff members.  Take a look at just a few of the many creations that the students brainstormed:

These students created a "Cricket Catcher" for Mrs. Crilley!

 These students created a "Super Scoop" which made it easier for Mr. Bill to pick up trash in the cafeteria!

These students created a device for Mrs. Mundy that would allow her to wear her Smart Board remote so that it would never go missing!

These students created a Tiger Trinket box for Miss Vicky so that she has a place to keep small office supplies.

Our Pre-K students have also been very busy discovering all that the Collaboratory has to offer.  This week, the students have been working on an apple theme and counting to ten in their classroom, so it was the perfect time to read Ten Apples Up On Top.  After we read the story, the students were presented with the following challenge:  How might you build a tower that could fit all ten apples up on top?  Both the morning and afternoon Pre-K classes did an amazing job sharing their tools, working together as a team, and creating some really cool structures!  Take a peek:

 

And, of course, we couldn't help but try to ride bikes with our apples up on top like they did in the story!  A little extra fun is always a great reward for hard work!

We are already looking forward to our next adventures!