Engineering for Kids! Creating Party Monster Cars

I just completed an engineering unit with my 4th graders - they designed & built the most amazing cars!  After reading a short story about Party Monsters who need a car to solve a problem, I told my students that they are going to be car engineers. Their 1st job: design & build a car for the Party Monsters . The only materials I gave them were straws, Life Savers, paper & tape. All cars had to be wind-propelled. My students worked in pairs & not only did everyone design & then build an awesome looking car - everyone's car worked!! I'm so proud of my students!!

It is so great to see their minds at work - an analytical and critical thinking extravaganza  in my elementary school science lab! I did not tell anyone how to build a car. Everyone went through a big trial and error process, I don't think anyone's prototype worked well right away. My kids designed their car, built it, tested it, then added or removed design components.

 Here's how I set up the car racetrack:

You can find the Monster Engineer unit at my TpT store or click here or on the picture below:

I'm writing up a freebie that I use to introduce the engineering design process. Will post it soon!

Engineering is now a component of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for students in K- 5. Only 7 states have adopted the standards so far - has your state or your school adopted them yet? 

Happy Weekend everyone!