Up For A Challenge #2


You can find the this challenge and more at Delightful Learning blog. The original challenges were submitted each week. Since then the links have changed so I have removed them from this post. Visit here to see more about these fun challenges. 



Yes, we are at it again. This week's (actually, last week's) challenge is to build a boat.
The boys had eight minutes, a box full of supplies--styrofoam cups, string, crafts sticks, mailing labels or, in our case, name tags (you gotta improvise sometimes), chenille stems,..-- and their brain power to make an object that will float and move across the water.


Then they had two minutes to get the boat across the tub. Paul was excited when he first put the boat down- the wind pushed it halfway across! Then it died down and the boys started blowing. :)


There is a scoring system. Based on that, I'd say the boys got full credit (20 pts) for working well together and having a boat at the end of round one (10 pts). The boat moved pretty fast, so I'd say 15 pts out of 30 there. On the creativity scores, they get a bit lower- maybe 5 pts out of 20 for how creatively the boat crossed the water, and 10 out of 20 for how creatively they used their materials (that may be a bit generous, but I am the mom, uh, hem, judge ;)).

When they finished, the boys did a "round 2" and each built their own boat. They had lots of fun creating their own designs.



Adding on: This morning (the day after I posted this) when we came in to our school room, Paul- 11 years old- very excitedly asked "so, what's the challenge for today?!". From my "anything but school kid", this is most definitely a thumbs up for this project! I thought about starting the next one, but I think it will have to keep until after Thanksgiving. :)

Comments

  1. Michelle GibsonNovember 30, 2009 at 6:58 AM

    I love your additional supply ~ brain power. The boys did a great job and I am happy they are excited and up for the challenge. *Ü*

    I just noticed your advice on your sidebar and that is great advice. I was a cross country runner and while that is not a marathon, it felt like it: Start out strong, fall into a steady pace, and finish strong. We also just listened to the Tortoise and the Hare and should remember "slow and steady wins the race" so you are right ~ it is not a sprint!

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