Have you ever experienced a power outage? Power outages that last for multiple days can have serious consequences. Transmission towers are part of the power grid which provides electricity to homes, schools, and cities. During hurricanes or strong storms, they have the potential to fail and cause power outages (leading to difficulties with food storage, clean water access, etc.). The students’ goal is to build a tower that can withstand the “wind” from a hurricane.
The student handout will be given to all students working on the design challenge. It gives a brief recap of the story, it helps the students identify what they are attempting to achieve, and it recaps the design process.
Blown Away TEK8 Instructor’s Guide
This Instructor’s Guide provides the instructor additional information on how to run the design challenge with alternatives for materials and test setups as well as information to help make the design challenge a good educational experience.
The Telling the Story Video conveys the societal impact of the student’s research that is the basis for the design challenge and will set the problem-solving context for students.
The Design Challenge Video leads students through the design process. It indicates materials available, states what the criteria are for success and any constraints. It also gives a second ‘level’ of the design challenge that allows ‘early completers’ to move on to a slightly more difficult challenge.