Problem Solver Challenge

Invention design challenge in which students pick a real problem from their own lives, brainstorm solutions, then build, test and redesign a prototype from upcycled and craft materials.
File type
Multiple File Types

Updated Oct 07, 2022

Subject
History: World, History, Social Studies
Topic
Design Challenges, Problem Solving
Resource types
Activities

From the author

About this resource

This teaching resource is a bundle of ready-to-use WhyMakers Design Challenges that require students to brainstorm, design, create, and reflect. Ideal for Grades 3 through 5, these design challenges require students to utilize their problem-solving skills in an engaging and creative way.

Description:

The Problem Solver Challenge comes equipped with various sections that assist students on their independent journey towards innovative solutions. The context section explains the challenge to give it sense and relevance.

  • The actual task is clearly outlined in the Design Challenge section
  • The Specifications provide 'must-do's' for each challenge.
  • Constraints:, detailing any limitations involved.
  • Necessary Materials and Tools:
  • Steps:, leading up to a solution for those challenges.
  • Tips:, offered alongside each step to further aid students understanding of how they can approach a solution creatively.

No matter where you decide to implement these amazing teaching tools - whether it be in Makerspaces or Genius Hour sessions down even down to after-school programs or summer camps - they've got you covered. They conform naturally with STEM protocols but could easily find itself being used within Choice Time slots or even as part of Social Emotional Learning sessions! Extend its use beyond traditional class time; try implementing it within technology-focused classes or library time too!

Aimed universally across grades and focusing majorly on subject categories like Social Studies (specifically encompassing World History), this product strives towards building holistic individuals who think deeply about taught material whilst having an innovation-focused mindset towards problem solving.

Each Problem Solver Challenge boosts student engagement while crossing thresholds into new levels of thought process about taught standards - making lessons sticky in every sense!

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In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

  • Identify a real everyday problem and investigate it

  • Design, build and test a physical solution

  • Revise a prototype after testing

Teaching tips

  • Gather upcycled materials such as cardboard or cereal boxes ahead of time, along with cardstock, tape, glue and a ruler for building.

Skills covered

  • Engineering design — brainstorming, choosing, building and retesting an invention

  • Problem finding — taking notes on a problem that is difficult, inconvenient or boring

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Resource details

Concepts & topics

Core concepts

  • Engineering design process

  • Prototyping

  • Invention

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