With our paper bag houses complete and meeting the criteria of the challenge, we all realized we didn't think about one thing...the wind!
Using our breaths first, most Kindergartners saw their house past this initial test. But with the opportunity to use a technology as a model for a windy day, Kindergartners voted on using an electrical fan over a handheld fan or a blow dryer. There weren't many houses that passed the fan test...in fact most fell over on the lowest speed.
After a great class discussion, we talked about whether we should just give up, or make another house. We all agreed that our friend Bob needs a house, and that not giving it another try would not meet his needs. We discussed how we could improve our houses an important step in engineers' work. Here's what the Kindergartners came up with as possible improvements.
1. Add some rocks to our houses to make them heavier.
2. Put something behind the houses so they won't blow over.
3. Stuff them with more newspaper.
4. Build a new house with stronger materials.
Next we'll see how these ideas pan out! On to improving our house designs for Bob!
Using our breaths first, most Kindergartners saw their house past this initial test. But with the opportunity to use a technology as a model for a windy day, Kindergartners voted on using an electrical fan over a handheld fan or a blow dryer. There weren't many houses that passed the fan test...in fact most fell over on the lowest speed.
After a great class discussion, we talked about whether we should just give up, or make another house. We all agreed that our friend Bob needs a house, and that not giving it another try would not meet his needs. We discussed how we could improve our houses an important step in engineers' work. Here's what the Kindergartners came up with as possible improvements.
1. Add some rocks to our houses to make them heavier.
2. Put something behind the houses so they won't blow over.
3. Stuff them with more newspaper.
4. Build a new house with stronger materials.
Next we'll see how these ideas pan out! On to improving our house designs for Bob!