Improv Warm Up
Tallest Tower STEAM Activity
For this activity, we started out by giving them a bucket of straws and a small container of connectors and told them we wanted them to build the tallest FREE STANDING tower possible. They got to work right away and came up with some great towers! After about 10 minutes, I told them I "forgot" that their towers had to have wheels, so I gave each group 6 wheels. I just told them that they had to use the wheels - no direction in how to use them though. After about another 10 minutes, I told them that I "forgot again" that their structure must also be able to be pulled from one of the masking tape lines to the other, with them standing behind one of the lines. So many groans on this "addition!" This is where some serious redesign took place with wheels changing positions, towers being reduced in size, and calculations on where to tie the string to pull the tower. This was a serious exercise in not only design, but communication, collaboration, creativity, and confidence. It was so great to see the looks on the faces of the students who towers crossed the finish line!