Build Your Own Adventure: A Hands-On Journey with Engineering Challenges
In this 6-week course, students will put their engineering design skills to the ultimate test by building everything they need for their own adventure.
Ian Nelson
Average rating:
4.7
Number of reviews:(2,517)
What's included
6 live meetings
5 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be working on actually building the item of the week in between classes.Assessment
Students will receive consistent informal feedback during brainstorming sessions and when they share their designs with the class.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Calling all adventurous engineers! In this class, we will dive head first into the engineering design process to create items that will help us on the ultimate engineering adventure. Using supplies around the house, students will gain confidence in their brainstorming and prototyping skills as we tackle increasingly complex challenges. Each week is dedicated to its own design challenge, with the structure as follows: Week 1: Shoes Week 2: Belt Week 3: Travel Pillow Week 4: Backpack Week 5: Sleeping Bag Week 6: Tent Our class time will be devoted to sharing our work from the previous week, discussing the engineering challenges associated with building each item, brainstorming potential solutions, and working on diverse prototyping strategies. Learners should come to class with a notebook and a pencil to take part fully in the brainstorming process. Additionally, they should keep a makerspace bin of supplies such as assorted cardboard, various recyclables, reclaimed fabrics, duct tape, and a hot glue gun. Where will your engineering skills take you?
Learning Goals
Students will be able to:
- Identify steps in the engineering design process
- Compare and contrast challenges associated with different kinds of designs
- Brainstorm diverse ideas in an engineering community
- Practice diverse forms of prototyping
Other Details
Supply List
Learners should come to class with a notebook and a pencil to take part fully in the brainstorming process. Additionally, they should keep a makerspace bin of supplies such as assorted cardboard, various recyclables, reclaimed fabrics, duct tape, and a hot glue gun.
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
Hello! I'm an engineer committed to giving students amazing experiences in math, science, and engineering. I believe that learning happens when kids ask questions and explore their interests. I look forward to helping your kids leverage their curiosity and see math, science, and engineering at work in the world around them.
I purposefully design classes around real-world projects to engage students more deeply in learning. I believe that kids learn best when they have the opportunity to create. As much as is possible, I encourage students to use their hands and build their own models.
As a kid, I was constantly looking for new experiences with math, science, and engineering. I conducted every experiment from Mr. Wizard's Supermarket Science and begged my parents for more math practice. I took all the advanced math and science course offered by my high school, attended Space Academy and Advanced Space Academy, competed in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair three years in a row, was a semi-finalist in the Science Talent Search, and graduated magna cum laude from Boston University while majoring in mechanical engineering. I also hold a MS in Engineering Education from Purdue University.
I currently teach math, science, and engineering courses to kids ages 6 and up. When I'm not teaching, I love to play with my cat, curl up with a good book, visit historic places, or watch a movie.
If you have any thoughts about a class you wish I would offer or a time you hope I can schedule a class, please send me a message. All of my best teaching ideas have come directly from my students as we learn and explore together.Reviews
Live Group Class
$90
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-14
1-8 learners per class
