This Wednesday, our MYP Grade 7 Design students turned an unexpected internet outage into an exciting hands-on learning opportunity. As we were unable to continue our regular unit work on Criteria B: Sustainable Educational Toy, students took part in a special design challenge.
Working in groups of four, students were tasked with designing and building the tallest possible structure using only recycled paper and glue tabs. The challenge required not only creativity, but also strong collaboration and problem-solving skills. To be successful, each structure needed to support a tennis ball for at least 30 seconds.
The activity began with a focused 10-minute planning session, during which students developed both visual and written plans. These plans had to be clear and logical enough for another group to follow—encouraging thoughtful communication and organization.
The competition was intense, and while many creative solutions were attempted, only one group successfully met the challenge criteria. This engaging task highlighted the importance of planning, teamwork, and resilience when faced with design constraints.
Well done to all students for their enthusiasm and adaptability!
