We're really excited to team up with The Tech Interactive, opens a new window for four weeks of maker challenges you and your family won't want to miss! Starting Wednesday, August 19th at 3:30 PM and continuing for four Wednesdays through September 9th, we invite you to join us for a new weekly engineering "competition". We'll meet every week on Zoom to learn about the challenge, gather the supplies from around your house, and build something awesome with a community of makers and doers. We will rarely let you use tape or glue, though, as that makes the challenges more fun and it will allow you to reuse your materials over and over again. Don't forget to share your creations on Instagram using #SMCLcreates, opens a new window so our community can celebrate your work!
These experiences, which serve as an introduction to The Tech Challenge, opens a new window, are geared toward ages 5 and up but all ages are welcome to join! Prior signup is required. Youth under 13 years old must have their adult join them for these special events.
This week we're going to ask you to "take flight". You'll be allowed to use tape, but not glue. Any of these materials that are already in your house may be helpful to have on-hand: different kinds of paper, rubber bands, paper clips, binder clips, twist ties, string, small beads, or dried beans.
In this challenge, you will build a structure without using any tape or glue and test it for earthquake safety. Safe structures will have little or no damage after an earthquake. Any of these materials that are already in your house may be helpful to have on-hand: paper and cardboard, plastic cups, paper plates, toilet paper rolls, rubber bands, paper clips, twist ties, pipe cleaners, toys or a small water bottle (something with a little weight to set on top of your structure).
September 2nd - Stop That Ball!
When you drop a ball, it bounces! Can you design something with items found around your home that stop a ball from bouncing? Can you make it land so it doesn’t move at all? Any of these materials that are already in your house may be helpful to have on-hand: some type of bouncy ball (tennis, ping pong, golf, handball, or rubber), paper and cardboard, foil, toilet paper rolls, sponges, plastic cups, paper plates, bubble wrap, rubber bands, paper clips, binder clips, twist ties, or string.
September 9th - Create With Cardboard!
Today we’re going to have a good time with cardboard, with the added challenge of not using any tape or glue to make tall and/or strong structures. Any of these materials that are already in your house may be helpful to have on-hand: flat pieces of cardboard, cereal boxes, paper, toilet paper rolls, binder clips, paper clips, twist ties, string, something heavy to test your creation, and maybe a ball to balance on top of your creation.
We can't wait to see what you create! And if you're looking for more at-home maker fun, may we suggest a few titles?
100 Screen Free Ways to Beat Boredom!
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