Building Bricks STEM Volcano Island Engineering Design Challenge
Your students are volcanologists on a deserted island when they suddenly become stranded. They then must use the engineering design process to solve a problem from one of the 30 included challenge cards. Students are first tasked with building an island (either using building bricks or paper) before using building bricks to build their design solutions.
Grades: 1st - 6th
Teaching Duration: 1 hour
“Super engaging for kids! Love Vivify STEM. I actually have been able to modify this to use in a variety of ways. Really liked it - easy to use.”
Your students are volcanologists on a deserted island when they suddenly become stranded. They then must use the engineering design process to solve a problem from one of the 30 included challenge cards. Students are first tasked with building an island (either using building bricks or paper) before using building bricks to build their design solutions.
This packet also includes handouts for students to learn about how islands are formed, a STEM career connection about volcanologists, and a worksheet to walk students through the engineering design process. Assign your students one of the 30 challenge or task cards and teach them to use the engineering design process to think through their design before building their solutions.
This activity works well as an introduction to the engineering design process, an in-class or virtual lesson, or in centers or a Makerspace.
Materials needed:
Building bricks
Paper plates or building brick base plates
Construction paper (optional)
