Hurricane STEM+Design Challenge, Rombout Middle School 6th Grade
Project Lead: Ms. Benson
Given various criteria and constraints, students will design and build a "shelter" that they believe would best withstand the effects of a hurricane. The constructed designs will be tested using high-powered fans to resemble wind and hoses and spray bottles to resemble light-heavy precipitation. Students will be evaluated using a rubric that assesses their design ideas/sketched model, their completed 3D structure, and their participation during the building and testing process.
Students’ Perspective
"My favorite part of this project was designing and planning because my class partner and I got to express our creativity and ideas. I learned that the heavier the base, the stronger it will be and that teams should share ideas to make a better structure."
"My favorite part was testing out our structure with wind and precipitation. I learned that certain materials work better than others and lighter structures were more susceptible to rain and wind. Structures are very complex things to build and it takes a lot of skill."
