Grades 2 – 6: Participants are guided to use their creativity, communication, teamwork and problem solving skills to design a vehicle that will travel the furthest distance.

Featured:

Participants are divided into teams of 3 to 4.  Teams are challenged to design and build a vehicle using LEGO® pieces  to travel the greatest distance using only gravity to propel it.  Participants begin by considering the properties of the wheel and axle options present.  They then build a vehicle and test it, evaluate, discuss and make modifications to retest.

Details:

• This program is available to students in grades 2 – 6.
• This program is available by appointment only.
• Min 15, Max 32 students (depending on venue maximum may be flexible).

Connections:

Participants are introduced to the engineering process in a manner appropriate to their grade level.  They are encouraged to discuss and plan before creating their vehicle.  Participants evaluate their tests to determine if their modifications improved or diminished their results.  They work together to determine next steps to improve performance.  The facilitator helps students advance with consideration of shape and weight distribution in their design.  (NGSS ETS1.B &NGSS ETS1.C)  Participants are able to successfully achieve improved performance in the course of the program.

Notes:

In this program, the facilitator guides the students to conduct the activity for themselves without assistance from the chaperones.

For younger students, smaller group size is preferable.