In collaboration with teachers Craig Chabut and Lori Ehrensberger at Cline Elementary (Centerville City Schools), Bern Schwieterman, STEAM Integration Coach for Kettering City Schools, developed a design challenge for students to create a COVID Candy Contraption.
Inspiration: My wife saw a picture on Instagram of someone who had created a Halloween candy delivery system and was nudging me to create something for our family to keep us socially distant for trick or treat. I felt that this would present a great challenge for students to solve a true real-world problem.
Goals: I wanted students to gain experience with the Engineering Design Process, to have fun, and to produce something useful. In addition, I hoped that it would be something enjoyable and meaningful that families could work on together to stay safe for Trick or Treat.
Advice for teachers: Students are just as curious and full of wonder as always. Don’t sweat that we can’t do it the way we’ve always done and focus on what we can do right now in this situation for them. Additionally, don’t forget to take time for yourself; you need it, and the kids will benefit from it!
If you would like to access this design challenge, click here to make a copy. Thanks to Bern, Craig and Lori for sharing this activity!
