Humpy Dumpty Design Challenge

This week we took a break from our transportation/map study to focus on completing our Humpty Dumpty STEM lesson.  As you know from last week Humpty is the castle guard and keeps falling off the wall due to bad weather. The students design challenge was to design something for Humpty so he wouldn't continue to fall off the wall and hurt himself.

We began the week looking at how materials can be combined to make something new. We tested materials to see how they hold together in both "rain" (water) and "wind" (fan). Some noticed specific materials didn't work well with water and wind.

Testing with wind.

Testing with rain.

Next, we studied different types of seats that keep people safe. We looked at a pilots seat, cars eats for children and babies, and high chairs. The students noticed that they all had some kind of seat and seat belt. They documented what kind of seat they thought Humpty should use and then got together with their engineering team to start their plans.

There were four jobs for the team members; materials engineer, information engineer, project engineer, and test engineer each student had a job.  They talked together as a team, put their ideas down on paper and began building. We gave them plenty of time to design and build but reminded them that all engineers have deadlines!  When they all finished they did their first round of testing. The test engineer poured the "rain" and I controlled the "wind". Take a look at Humpty's new seats.

This seat is complete with a lap bar and Humpty has a safety helmet with a whole for his "eyes".

This group created a safety belt as well as a seat.

This design also has a seat belt and a wind shield to block the "wind".

 This group designed a house for Humpty to use on top of the wall for shelter.  They also gave hims a seat to sit in with a seat belt that goes over top of his head (It's hard to see in this photo.).

 This group wanted Humpty to be sitting higher up on the wall.  They also gave humpty a seat and rather than a seat belt they gave hims a safety rope.  The rope is at the top of the egg. 


Here is how the safety rope works.

 

Testing:

As they tested, they documented weather Humpty stayed intact or if he fell. When the first test was over there was time for redesigns or to make their first design better.  It was amazing to see how creative and different each design was.  All the students embraced this challenge and had a great time.  I know we have several future engineers in our classroom!

Next week we will continue looking at maps as well as celebrating Earth Day for the whole week!!!

Don't forget Wednesday is fancy day. Have a great week.

Mrs. Julie Atkin