Brick It: Engineering Improv
Can you use your engineering design skills to meet these quick build challenges?
Ian Nelson
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(2,517)
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Quick! Can you use interlocking bricks to build a duck? What about a waterfall? How about a lamp? Flex your engineering muscles with these quick build challenges. Engineering Improv is a great way to spend 50 minutes to stretch your problem solving skills. Bring your favorite building toys and your ideas for wacky and fun designs. All challenge ideas come from learners themselves and include things like: * Monsters * Robots * Animals * Everyday Objects Every improv session begins with a brief introduction of the engineering design process before choosing the first challenge. A typical class includes at least 2 different improv challenges where learners will have between 8 and 12 minutes to create their designs. In order to get the most out of this class, learners should have interlocking building toys so they can easily hold up their final builds to the camera. The main engineering learning outcomes of Engineering Improv are 1) tackling unexpected challenges, 2) brainstorming solutions to difficult problems, 3) thinking creatively around design obstacles, and 4) explaining ideas to others .
Learning Goals
In this class, students will gain experience in:
-- Thinking creatively about what can be made with interlocking building toys
-- Using engineering design processes
-- Identifying diverse ways to solve engineering challenges
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Engineering Improv includes work time with interlocking building toys. I recommend having at least one small bucket's worth of pieces (of any style) free and on hand for the class.
To help with the auditory experience of the course, I ask that learners mute their microphones when actively building in class. Learners are welcome to unmute themselves during the building period to ask questions. Please encourage your learner to experiment with muting and unmuting their microphone.
Supply List
Students will need to bring interlocking bricks to every class to have a full experience of the course. Any mix of pieces will do. I advise having at least one small bucket of pieces available to the student every class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2017
4.7
2517reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I'm an experienced mechanical engineer who loves empowering kids as designers. I love facilitating Engineering Improv classes because they provide an excellent opportunity for kids to get their hands on engineering.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$15
per classMeets once
50 min
Completed by 236 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
1-8 learners per class
