Date: November 19, 2014
Grade Level: 10th
Recommended
Sequence
Objective(s) / Learning
Target(s):
Materials Needed:
Suggested Process:
GHS Seminar
Seminar Meeting
1. Groups are asked to build the tallest, most cost-effective, freestanding tower using a balloon, box of spaghetti and 20 gumdrops
within the set time limit. Each team will have an observer who
records the materials used and watches the team build the tower. The
observer does not do any building.
Box of spaghetti
1 balloon
20 gumdrops
1 Tape measure
Sufficient table space per team
Stopwatch/timer
Observer recording sheet (see below)
1. Start off by asking your students for any good news they might
have since the last time you were together (it can be about
personal happenings, school-related stuff, or extracurriculars).
2. Have them take out their laptops and take a quick survey about
technology integration at the following site:
http://survey.brightbytes.net/s3/4f14b969f9af
Activity
1. Split the group into small teams (of 3 – 4/ 3 or 4 per seminar) One
observer per group
2. Introduce the exercise by stating that the challenge is to build the
tallest, most cost effective freestanding tower that will support an
inflated balloon
3. Explain the time constraint: 5 minutes for planning/15 minutes for
building. 20 total
4. Explain the costs involved for the materials. Each piece of spaghetti
is $10.00 dollars, each gumdrop costs $20.00. Observers are asked to
keep track of the materials used.
5. Provide each team’s observer a briefing sheet. Teams have a 5
minute planning session before the materials arrive.
6. Distribute the spaghetti, gumdrops and balloon. The tower must be
unsupported and freestanding after 15 minutes with an inflated
balloon attached to the top
7. Start the activity and the timer. Give the teams a time check after
five minutes and a two and one minute warning.
8. After 15 minutes, call time. Groups may finish putting the final item
in place.
9. Ask the teams to calculate the cost of their tower. Assign points.
10. Each tower will be measured. Assign tower points based upon
height. Add points for cost + height.
The team with the highest number of points is the winning team.
Scoring Information:
Do not show the team the scoring procedure before the activity
takes place.
Scoring: Tower points will be awarded as follows:
Height of Tower
Tallest tower – 15 points
2nd tallest – 13 points
3rd tallest – 10 points
4th tallest – 8 points
5th tallest – 6 points
Cost Efficiency
Cheapest tower – 15 points
2nd least expensive – 13 points
3rd least expensive – 10 points
4th least expensive – 8 points
Most expensive – 6 points
Discussion Questions:
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How were decisions made?
Who influenced the decisions and how?
How could better decisions have been made?
Did people listen to each other? If not why not?
What roles did group members adopt?
How was conflict managed?
What kinds of behavior helped or hindered the group?
What have you learned about the functioning of this group?
How would you do the activity differently if you were asked to
do it again?