Student Instructions
Using the 15 popsicle sticks and the tape provided, work with your team to create the tallest "freestanding" tower you can. Work together, be creative, and remember your tower has to be able to stand all by itself when you are done. 1. Collaborate with your team to plan and build your tower. 2. When finished, tap the . 3. Tap the to explain how you constructed your tower. Describe any problems you may have had and how you solved them. 4. Tap the to add to the journals of everyone on the team.
You may want to consider giving the teams a time limit, such as 15-20 minutes to construct the tower. This way they can't get stuck in the planning and need to come to a consensus to get the ball rolling, so to speak. Also, to reduce background noise, you may choose to have the groups take turns for the recording portion of this activity. *Extension activity: have the students measure the tower heights and reflect on what designs allowed for a taller tower.