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Exploring Structures
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This event guide features three related explorations in which learners investigate the following science concepts: how you design and build a structure helps determine how strong it will be; different

Engineer an Octopus Suction Pad
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In this engineering design challenge, learners build an octopus-inspired suction pad that can grab an object and hold it tightly in the air.

Engineer an Aeolipile
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In this engineering design challenge, learners build an air-powered spinning machine.
Soaring Towers: Building with Recycled Materials
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In this activity, learners will build the highest tower they can out of recycled materials.

As Straight as a Pole
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In this engineering activity (page 3 of PDF), young learners investigate how a pole can be made stable by “planting” its base in the ground or adding supports to the base.

Designing a Wall
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In this engineering activity (page 5 of PDF), young learners investigate how materials and design contribute to the strength of a structure, particularly walls.

Paper Bridges
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In this activity, learners build bridges using paper and explore how much weight each bridge design can support.

Straws and Pins
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In this activity, learners build bridges and cantilevers in a series of "building out" challenges with straws and pins.

Straws and Airplanes
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Create airplanes from straws and geometric shapes. Test them out to see how far they can fly, or how accurately they can be aimed.

Clay Bridges
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In this activity, learners make bridges using an oil-based modeling clay (plasticene). The instructions include discussion questions for both before and after bridge building.

Clay Beams and Columns
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In this activity, learners make or use pre-made clay beams to scale and proportion. Specifically, they discover that when you scale up proportionally (i.e.

Atoms and Matter (K-2)
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In this activity, learners explore atoms as the smallest building blocks of matter. With adult help, learners start by dividing play dough in half, over and over again.

Draggin' Boats
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Learners design, build, and test models of "dragon boats" made from up to three milk cartons.

Block Neighborhood
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In this activity learners will build a neighborhood out of blocks and cardboard.

Puppet Play
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In this activity, learners will make a marionette puppet and put on a show. Learners will explore color, design, fabrication and storytelling through this activity.

Roller Coasters
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In this activity learners will build roller coasters and test them using small balls or marbles.

DIY Weather Vane
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In this activity, learners will engineer their own weather vane. This activity includes step-by-step instructions with pictures and a "What's Happening?" section explaining how the activity worked.

Ramp it Up
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In this activity, learners will build ramps and test how the laws of physics apply do different objects. Learners will explore physics and cause and effect through this activity.

Control a Bird’s Flight
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In this engineering design challenge, learners make a bird and then control its flight with attached strings.

Building Together
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In this Bob the Builder(TM)-themed activity, learners explore what it means to work together as a team.