Activities for Teens: Week 4

Engineering Challenge: Building for Huricanes

Program Description:

With simple materials and design requirements, build a tower as tall as possible that will hold up a tennis ball while resisting the force of wind from a fan. You can modify the materials and requirements based on whatever you have on hand.

For example, omit the tennis ball and just see who can build the highest tower out of index cards and tape. Then see which one best withstand the forces of a “hurricane.”

For an extra challenge, a spray bottle can be used to simulate rain.

Consider running a background video on hurricanes or weather while building their towers.

Materials:

• Index cards, paper straws, pipe cleaners, craft sticks, tape, string, newspaper, tennis ball, or whatever miscellaneous supplies you have on hand.
• A worktable to try things out.
• A table with a tablecloth, fan or blow dryer, and a spray bottle for testing.
• A shake table (see links under Resources) increases the fun (optional).
• A laptop and projector if you want to show a background video.

Resources:

This program is based on the activity developed by NASA and Global Precipitation Measurement. Building for Hurricanes” from NASA: https://go.nasa.gov/3vp6bBc

Weather activities from NASA: https://go.nasa.gov/2SwoBBE “Build an Earthquake Shake Table” from QuadSquad: https://bit.ly/3bUX7w3

Recycled T-Shirt Book Bag

Program Description:

Do you have a beloved old t-shirt that is too small or worn? Repurpose it into a bookbag!

Materials:

• T-shirts (one per participant)
• Scissors (sharp enough to cut fabric)
• Rulers
• Pencils (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the arm holes out from the inside of the arm seam.
2. Cut the neckline out by following the seam. You can make the hole
   small by sticking to the seam, or measure about an inch out from the
   seam and cut. If you use a pencil to measure make sure to turn the
   t-shirt inside out so you don’t see the pencil markings.
3. If you haven’t already, turn the t-shirt inside out.
4. Measure three inches from the bottom of the ruler and trace up with
   the pencil.
5. Make the same marks all the way across the shirt. Use the width of the
   ruler for the width of the strips
6. Cut the pencil markings up to the three inch mark. Don’t forget to cut
   the seams!
7. You can have the fringe on the outside for decoration or on the inside
   for a smooth bottom. If you want the fringe on the outside, turn your
   shirt right side out at this point.
8. Knot each set of strips together tightly.
9. Once you’ve knotted all the way across, the book bag is ready to use!