4th Graders Design & Build Lighthouses

MTS fourth grade engineers are back at it! In just over 3.5 hours of class time, they discussed what they consider to be important features of lighthouse design and began to blueprint and build. Some ideas they explored:

• What purpose do lighthouses serve? What about their design relates to their function or purpose? What features would not support the purpose?
• What shapes are "strong shapes" to use when building structures?
• What are the properties of building materials that should be evaluated for building a lighthouse?

After displaying the models at the upcoming Grandparents and Special Friends Day, students will use these models in a simulation of coastal erosion, and their engineering experience will shift to try to protect the coastline by fabricating jetties, sea walls, and breakwaters. Another day of project-based learning at its best!