Shapes of Strength--A STEAM Challenge

The challenge: Using the supplies given, create a shape arrangement that will hold the most books.

The supplies: 10 sheets of white paper, 10 coffee straws, and masking tape

The shapes: square, triangle, and circle (the students studied sturdy buildings and determined these shapes as the strongest.)

The background: During this challenge, students learned what the Engineering Design Process is, and used it well. The Engineering Design Process, used by engineers throughout the world, includes the steps ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve. Students will visit this process many times this year.

The results: Students used combinations of shapes and tested their structures. The winner held 25 books. Some held 9 books and one of the students. Their shapes were amazingly strong!