Construct a Bunkbed Imagineerz Learning

STEM Challenge: Arachnikid’s New Bunkmate

Context and Challenge

Platinum Patroller, known for his incredible weight, desires to sleep on the top bunk without endangering Arachnikid, who sleeps below. This presents a significant challenge that requires innovative architectural solutions to prevent any accidents.

Construct a bunkbed that can support Platinum Patroller’s weight on the top bunk without collapsing onto Arachnikid below. The bunkbed must be structurally sound, safe, and able to hold a substantial amount of weight without any risk of causing harm.

Constraints and Success Criteria

The bunkbed must be stable enough to support Platinum Patroller’s weight on the top bunk.
The design should utilize the architectural techniques learned, focusing on strength, balance, and safety.

Materials

You do not need any testers for this challenge.

Logistics

Prepare Materials: Ensure you have all the necessary materials ready beforehand and organize them so that they are easily accessible to students. Students should use no more than five of any one material per creation! For example, a student can use five straws and five pieces of paper, but not ten straws. If you provide aluminum foil, no more than one arm’s length piece for each student!
Set Up Testing Area: Create a designated area where students can test their bio bubbles.
Provide Guidelines and Constraints: Reiterate the challenge and the constraints to students as needed. Emphasize the importance of following safety guidelines and considering the constraints, while designing their bio bubbles. Building time is 45 minutes!
Model the Design Process: Before students begin, demonstrate the design process by going through the steps yourself. Discuss how to brainstorm ideas, create prototypes, test them, and make iterations based on the results, as needed.
Encourage Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where students can work together in pairs. Encourage them to share ideas, help each other troubleshoot challenges, and provide constructive feedback throughout the process. But no groups of three!
Support Adaptation: Encourage students to embrace the mindset of adaptation and problem-solving. Help them see that setbacks and failures are opportunities to learn and make improvements. Guide them in identifying areas for adaptation and brainstorming alternative solutions.
Facilitate Reflection: Set aside time for students to reflect on their design process and decision-making. Ask questions that prompt them to think critically about their choices, challenges they faced, and what they learned from the experience. This reflection can be done individually, in pairs, or as a whole-class discussion.
Celebrate and Showcase: Once students have completed the challenge, celebrate their efforts and showcase their work. Provide opportunities for students to share their experiences, explain their design choices, and reflect on the overall learning journey.

CASEL Discussion Questions

Five questions aligned to Self-Awareness and Self-Management — our focus CASEL competencies for Module 1 — for teachers to foster an engaging discussion and social-emotional learning

Can you think of a time when you had to be aware of your own capabilities or emotions in a group project or team activity? How did it affect the outcome?
How does acknowledging our individual differences contribute to successful teamwork?
What strategies could Platinum Patroller use to manage his concern for ArachniKid’s safety while still meeting his own needs?
In working on a project like building the bunkbed, how important is it to set personal goals? What might those goals look like for both Platinum Patroller and Arachnikid?
How can practicing self-control improve our interactions and relationships with others, especially when working closely as a team or living in close quarters, similar to Platinum Patroller and Arachnikid’s situation?