This was an especially exciting week in Grade Three as the students in my class and Mr. Jackson’s class worked collaboratively in groups of 3-4 to design and build a stable structure that measured 60 cm in height, consisted of three levels, and which could sustain the load of as many math texts books as possible. Together, the students in each group came up with a name for their group’s design and construction company, designed a company logo, and made blue prints of and modifications to their plans. All groups were provided with exactly the same type  and amount of materials to work with: pizza boxes, masking tape, and paper towel tubes. It was amazing to watch these young minds at work, literally thinking outside the (pizza) box!

Our student construction teams tested the strength and stability of their structures on Wednesday and Thursday. During the test periods, the students first presented their team logo, then highlighted where they thought their structure was strong and reinforced… and then where they thought their structure would fail.  Each team also predicted how many textbooks they thought their structure would hold before collapsing. The height of the structure was measured (again, each structure had to be exactly 60 cm tall). Finally, the load was added…and the fun began! Here are some pictures from the week: load was added…and the fun began! Here are some pictures from the week:

Congrats to our very own Hammerz & Wrenchez Inc. team (Chingis, Lexi & Owen) who won from our class, the whole test and design competition!