I am a huge fan of the challenges that the James Dyson Foundation hosts for budding engineers around the world. These can make great in-class projects or be issued as at-home learning. In addition to fun learning, Dyson also provides great videos that feature real engineers sharing a handful of hints while tackling the challenges themselves.
One we are tackling in
Hamilton STEM is the
Sixty Second Marble Run Challenge. Kids have to build a marble run with just cardboard, tape, and of course a marble. The marble must travel for exactly sixty seconds, no more and no less. The whole experience is a great manipulation in potential and kinetic, energy, and friction.
Each challenge comes with an easy-to-use directions card. Materials are clearly outlined and directions are kept as simple as possible.
Dyson encourages those who complete the challenge to share the results on social media through designated hashtags.
Check out other challenges and some the results at #JDFChallenge.
