Sixth graders in Lauren Niewald’s class at Remington Traditional were challenged to build a zipline that provided tourists the longest tour over the mountains with only the materials provided. Each group was provided rubber bands, paperclips, straws, string, bucket, scissors and tape.
Using STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills, students incorporated the same process that engineers use on a job site: define the problem, brainstorm solutions, design a solution, build it, test it, evaluate it and then revise.
“They started building their ziplines yesterday and spent time working on what they thought would be the best design,” Niewald said. “They were able to develop ideas and then we put it to the test today.”
This activity also served as a team building exercise at the start of the school year. There are 42 sixth graders at Remington Traditional, nine of which are new to Remington Traditional.
“They had to communicate and this was a fun way to help them learn how to do that while getting to know each other.”
The winning team was able to build a zipline that provided the tourists a 30 minute tour.
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