Building & Making
Grades 6-8
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Session Name
Engineer It
Age Group
Ages 12-14
Session Intention
Children take on multi-step engineering challenges and test their designs.
Materials Needed
- Mechanix-2 (1)
- Jodo Straws (1)
- Jodo Blocks (1)
- Super Architect / Lego (2)
- Mechanix-3 (1)
- Mechanix Plastic (2)
- Jenga (1)
- Jumbo Blocks (1)
- Mechanix Beginner Assortment (3)
Classroom Arrangement
1. Form groups of 4-6 and give each a construction kit.
2. Building happens at benches or floor space.
1/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Opening Procedure (5-7 minutes)
PEP-UP: Rock Paper Scissors Tournament (3 min)
1. Pairs play best of 3.
2. Winners find new winners until one champion remains.
NORMS (30 seconds):
1. Share the pieces.
2. Take turns.
3. Be kind.
4. Do not break each other's builds.
More Pep-up Options
2/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Play Time (~25-28 minutes)
GETTING GROUPS STARTED:
1. Write 3 levels of challenges on the board:
- Starter: Build the tallest structure with the least number of pieces.
- Medium: Build a bridge from one bench to the other. It should hold a full water bottle for 10 seconds.
- Hard: Build something tall and strong enough to survive 3 taps from the facilitator.
2. Distribute the construction kits to each group.
3. Give groups 5 minutes to discuss and plan their build.
PROCESS:
1. Ask groups to start building and testing their ideas.
2. Encourage groups to improve their designs if something does not work.
3. After 18–20 minutes, ask each group to show, test and explain their creation
YOUR ROLE DURING PLAY:
1. Visit groups and ask what they are trying to build.
2. Encourage groups to test their creations and make changes when needed.
3. If a build keeps failing, ask children to identify the part that needs improvement.
4. Give groups time to make final changes before the official test.
STEP IN WHEN NEEDED:
1. If a group is stuck, ask them to identify the weakest part of their structure.
2. If a group finishes early, challenge them to rebuild using fewer pieces.
What You May Notice
1. Children at this age can get very invested in their designs. Be thoughtful about how feedback is given.
2. Some children will want to rebuild from scratch after testing. Encourage it.
3. The process of plan, build, test, improve is more valuable than the final product.
3/4
Setup | Opening | Play Time | Closing
Closing (~3-5 minutes)
1. Start giving time check as the end approaches
2. Each group tests their structure against the challenge.
3. Clap for all groups.
4. Ask the children to pack materials back into the correct boxes.
Try Next Time
1. Give a client brief. Eg: You are building a shelter for 5 people. What does it need? Build a model.
2. Let groups design a challenge for another group.