MSTE Scientific Problem Solving

Each team had to build a structure out of 20 straws and 1 metre of Sellotape to support the weight of a marble at a maximum possible height above the bench.

Note:

• The marble may not be sellotaped onto the straws
• The structure must not be sellotaped to the desk

Each team has 18 minutes to build the tallest, free-standing structure using just the materials supplied to each group. The marble must be attached to the top of the structure you build.

After 18 minutes, I will call time and measure the height of each structure that remains standing with the marble on top. The winners are the team whose free-standing structure is the tallest.

Students then had to review their work using the prompts below:

• What was the hardest part of this challenge? Easiest?
  What have you learned? Why is testing so important?
  What would you do differently if you had the chance to rebuild the tower?
• How did your team organise your approach?
• How helpful was everyone on your team in challenging the process of building the tallest structure?
• Did any team members tune out of the activity — out of frustration with other members or for some other reason? What could you have done to keep all members of the group fully engaged?
• Did you feel everyone’s ideas were well received during the activity?
• How did you feel as the time limit was approaching? Did pressure increase? If yes, was that helpful or not?
• Did you celebrate wins? If yes, how did you do this?