In Backpack Jack's third series of STEM adventures, he's not just backpacking, he's globetrotting. As he travels from continent to continent, he stops in eight different countries and sees eight famous structures. Students try to build replicas of each structure using a variety of everyday materials.
Where in the world is Backpack Jack?
CHINA
What Chinese landmark is better known to our students than the Great Wall?
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In this STEM challenge, each group is given foam segments of a pool noodle ($1/noodle at Dollar Tree) and a baggie of wooden toothpicks. The goal is to build the longest wall possible. The design is up to them!
The wall must be freestanding and at least 2 inches tall in all places. When groups were satisfied that they had achieved the longest possible wall, I then allowed them to try to build the tallest freestanding wall.
Students must collaborate as they explore how to balance their desire for the longest wall and the need for stability.
MEXICO
Some of my students have had the opportunity to visit the beautiful beaches in Mexico, but very few are aware of the mystical pyramids of Chichen Itza.
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This challenge is a great way to to emphasize the "M" in STEM. Because El Castillo is essentially a series of stacked squares, this activity provides a terrific opportunity for introducing (or reviewing) square numbers.
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To have the greatest number of tiers in their structures, students have to strategize. How many different perfect squares can they cut from one sheet of grid paper?
I try to time this lesson with my third graders' introduction to multiplication. As they learn their basic facts, "doubles" seem to be the easiest. If they are just starting, I encourage them to write the corresponding math fact on the square before cutting it out.
This super simple, and low-prep activity requires just scissors and paper, but it also requires a lot of thinking and planning. Adios, and buena suerte!
ITALY
Welcome to Italy! There are so many sights to see in this beautiful country, but when it comes to STEM challenges, none stands out (or tilts!) quite so much as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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We have done many STEM activities that confirm that the base of a structure must be sound. But when giving the kids a little background on this iconic tower, they also learn that the surface you build upon has to be sound too!
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To successfully complete this challenge,
students must first change 2D rectangles
into 3D cylinders. Then they need to
strategize about how to stack them so that
the model stands, but leans. This is no easy task! It requires teamwork, perseverance, and patience. One student commented, "I underestimated this one!"
The key (which they don't realize until the end) is that like the actual Leaning Tower of Pisa, if you build it straight, it will start to lean all on its own. Constructing the tower so that it leans from the start is destined for failure! (Pretty sneaky, I know!)
FRANCE
If there's one world-famous landmark that kids everywhere will recognize, it's the Eiffel Tower. In this STEM adventure, invite your students to travel to Paris with Backpack Jack. They will recreate this iconic structure using spaghetti and marshmallows. (I also gave my students about 6" of masking tape, but many chose not to use it.)
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EGYPT
The spaghetti and marshmallow tower is a tried and true team-building challenge that is equally effective in primary classrooms and the adult workplace. I have used this activity with success before, but connecting it to the Eiffel Tower seemed to give my third grade classes some inspirational ideas.
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Even with the kids' big grins and expressions of joy cropped out of these photos, it still makes me smile to see their hands working together. What an awesome picture of collaboration and teamwork!
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Massive. Claustrophobic. Ancient. Magnificent.
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There is no single word to describe the pyramids of Giza, and apart from visiting Egypt, there is no way to fully appreciate their magnitude. So it's not surprising that Backpack Jack would make a stop here during his globetrotting adventures!
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For this project, students have just two materials to work with -- 3" lengths of plastic straws, and 1 1/2" lengths of pipe cleaners. From there, pyramid construction begins, literally, from the ground up. This is a great activity for reinforcing 2D shapes,
3D shapes, and angles.
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As always, I have a specific idea in mind for how the
challenge "should" be solved, and as always, the kids
show me a few ways that I never even considered.
Finding diverse solutions is great, isn't it?
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***On a side note, I do recognize the impact that improper disposal of plastic straws has had on our environment, and have discussed this with my students. I reuse materials as often as possible. The straws that are pictured here have been used with 30 different classes of children and are still going strong! When they are no longer usable, I will discard of them properly, placing them in a #5 recyclable plastic container. For more information on the best way to dispose of plastic straws, this article is a great read!
ENGLAND
Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic London landmarks, and your students will likely recognize it from popular movies like this summer's blockbuster "Spiderman: Far from Home."
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This is one of the most difficult challenges in Backpack Jack's journey around the world because students are asked to design a working model. After sharing some images and facts about the actual structure, I provide each team of three with about 70 plastic connecting cubes. (My school has TONS of these from older math programs, and we utilize them for lots of STEM challenges). Students are also given 2 disposable cups, 2 large craft sticks, a 36" length of yarn, 4 paper clips, and masking tape.
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My third graders really rose to the challenge, and they had a great time finding different ways to raise and lower their bridges. For additional photos and video, feel free to visit my Facebook Page.
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