Other
American Society for Engineering Education: Building for Hurricanes
In this engineering design challenge about building in hurricane-prone regions, students learn that a solid base helps stabilize a structure by constructing, testing, and redesigning a tower that can support a tennis ball at least 18...
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Tall Tower Challenge
Learners learn about the engineering design process as they design, build, test, and evaluate the tallest tower they can build with just straws, pipe cleaners, and paperclips that can support the weight of a golf ball for two minutes....
Other
Ties Magazine: Petronas Towers
A great introduction to one of the world's tallest buildings. The article was written in 2002 when it was the tallest building. Since then others have surpassed it. At the end of the article there is a great building challenge for students.
Science Museum, London
Science Museum: Spaghetti Challenge
In this race against the clock, students learn the importance of good design technique and distribution of mass as they work in teams to build the highest tower possible out of dried spaghetti and marshmallows.
Other
Code.org: Building a Foundation
In this activity, students work in small groups to construct a tower that will support a book using everyday materials. The goal is to develop persistence in continuing with a task even when experiencing some failures. This is modeled...
PBS
Pbs: Building Big: Bridges
A collection of resources about bridges that includes basic facts about bridges, challenges faced by bridge builders, famous bridges from around the world, and a lab that helps you understand how different forces affect bridge...
TryEngineering
Try Engineering: Water Tower Challenge
Students learn about the engineering design process as they design, build, and test a water tower made with everyday items. The objective of the instructional activity is to work in teams to learn about water delivery systems and create...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Newspaper Tower
Students will be challenged to design and construct a tower out of newspaper. They will have limited supplies including newspaper, tape, and scissors since engineers are often restricted by economic reasons as to how much material they...
![Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: High Rise (Pdf) [Pdf] Handout](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/39876-b5e1ef7fe98a421947bc207adbf223d2.jpg?1661243864 "Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: High Rise (Pdf) [Pdf] Handout")
PBS
Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: High Rise (Pdf) [Pdf]
Hands-on challenge to build a tall tower that can support a tennis ball. Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to build, test, and redesign it if necessary, or take it to the next level. Activity focuses on the engineering...
A&E Television
History.com: 9/11: Rebuilding of Ground Zero
An intense debate raged over how best to rebuild the World Trade Center, as well as how to memorialize the thousands of victims. Though initial plans called for the rebuild to be completed by September 2011 -- the 10th anniversary of the...
PBS
Pbs Kids:activities and Videos: Structures
PBS site provides videos and activities are hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process. They use simple materials, allow for multiple solutions, and are ideal for ages 9-12.