Gumdrop Engineering

In this exciting, hands-on engineering lesson, students will embark on a creative journey to explore the world of engineering with gumdrops! We'll start by defining what it means to be an engineer and learn about different types of engineers—civil, mechanical, electrical—and how they use math and science to solve real-world problems. Through engaging discussions, students will also discover the history of famous engineers and their groundbreaking contributions.

The focus of the lesson will be on #math and #engineering principles, as students investigate the properties of both 2-D and 3-D structures. They'll explore the importance of angles, learn how to measure them, and apply these concepts to design and construct their own structures using gumdrops and toothpicks. As they experiment with creating stable, strong shapes, students will gain hands-on experience with the engineering design process, including trial, error, and problem-solving.

By the end of the lesson, students will have a deeper understanding of how engineers apply math and geometry to design stable structures—skills they can use in future STEM challenges! Plus, they’ll have a sweet treat to enjoy as they admire their hard work.

Approximate time needed: 1 hour

Standards MS CCRS: 2G.1, 4MD.5, 4G.2, 5G.3, 5G.4