Building Teamwork Through STEM

Seventh grade students from Weston Academy were recently encouraged to use critical thinking strategies to complete a group science project. Each student was placed into teams and tasked with the obstacle of building a stable bridge which extended over a crocodile-filled ravine. Using STEM principles and materials from K'NEX (construction toy systems), each team developed ideas for construction with an overall focus of “sturdy and stable” to create their unique bridges. Each bridge was designed and constructed with the ultimate goal of maintaining the weight of a stapler. The project was a perfect example of how teamwork, brainstorming and the utilization of key STEM principles can produce creative and successful results.