Building Bridges

Today the students put on their engineer hats and went about solving a problem.  They needed to build a bridge from one location, over a lake, to a new location.  First the kids researched different bridge designs around the world. Then they made a plan with a partner.  When the plan was approved, they set to work building their bridges.  It was messy and wonderful.  Kids tried one idea, and then another.  They made covered bridges.  They checked out the work of their peers and went back to their own designs.  When the bridges were completed the kids went to work picking up the room as a team.  Then we debriefed.  I was impressed with the kids' perceptions of this activity.  One child said, we were fighting, but then we got along and made the bridge.  This project was as much about learning to work collaboratively as it was designing a bridge.  Check out the pictures of kinders at work.