First Meeting of Design Challenge Club

The first meeting of the Design Challenge Club went well!

Students started off by going over collaborative communication and cooperation skills and discussing what it means to be a good teammate and a good leader.

An exercise was given to the students with a goal of building a bridge that could hold the most weight. Groups were given materials throughout the building process and were taught simple skills like how to tear blue tape or what to do if the tape is not sticking well to the table.

The building period was timed, and toward the end of the building period, groups were cheering each other on and encouraging their teammates—they couldn’t wait to test their bridges.

Each group got up and shared a bit about how they arrived at their final product, sharing strategies and techniques they found helpful.

All of the teams had different designs but were similar in many ways. All teams ultimately were successful, holding the same amount of weight before they came crashing down.

The students congratulated each other before sitting down to reflect upon the experience. Students were asked what went well, what was challenging, and what they might do differently next time.

The focus of the reflection was not primarily about the bridge they built, but rather the way in which they worked with their team.

About Gillispie School: Gillispie is an independent toddler through Grade 6 school in La Jolla, CA. We believe that learning is a journey in which children are active participants. Our students partner with teachers to further their academic, creative, and social growth, and we balance a child-centered approach that does not rush childhood with well-researched academic programs that demand higher-level thinking. Click here to learn more about our school.