Bricktastic Engineering Challenge (Ages 8-12)

Bring your bricks to this amazing engineering class. It's improvisational engineering at its finest.

Together we will explore how engineers can use the design process to build with standard parts. Every class spends time brainstorming new design challenges to use in the future.

Over the course of 4 weeks, students discover how to use the engineering design process to:
* Build something they didn't think could be made with standard bricks,
* Tackle unexpected building challenges, 
* Create a group of designs that build and extend on one another, and
* Refine and improve designs.

Sample challenges include:
* Build a marble run
* Create a dinosaur
* Design a forest
* Make a celebration

This is an active hands-on class we build during class. Each class incorporates building time and sharing time. Students will be encouraged to explain their designs and their engineering process. As such, students will need to bring bricks to class every week in order to enjoy this class. 

The main engineering learning outcomes of the Bricktastic Engineering Challenge are 1) creative problem solving, 2) persisting even encountering an unexpected and difficult challenge, 3) recognizing opportunities for improving the design even after you think you're "done," and 4) using creativity and imagination to generate and extend a design beyond an initial idea. Should your learner be interested in a more formal discussion of the engineering design process and how things work, I would encourage you to check out "Engineering of Everyday Things for Kids."