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 Storm Structures

In this provocations, students will engage in a building a structure that can withstand varying storm elements , promoting problem-solving and critical thinking. They also explore the elements of weather.

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Objective:

  • Build a structure that can stay standing in a storm (wind storm, rain storm, ice storm)

Problem-solving and strategic thinking:

  • Students will use materials provided and plan individually or together to build a strong structure that can stay standing in a storm. 

  • Students will test their structures against wind storms, rain storms, and snow storms (see materials on how to create these storms)

Standards/Objectives addressed:

  • K-2-ETS1-1: Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

  • K-2-ETS1-2: Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. 

  • K-ESS3- 2: Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.

Background knowledge needed:

  • How to make a plan - sketch a design 

  • Different weather patterns and the effects - heavy ice, wind gusts can blow things over easily, rain would affect the roof of a structure ● How to prepare for different weather coming

Materials:

  • Paper, popsicle sticks, cardboard, straws, tape, fabric, etc. - anything they can find at home including toys (blocks, legos..) 

  • Fan (wind), spray bottle (rain), shaved ice, crushed cubes or shredded paper (snow

Prompts – questions or statements to elicit engagement:

  • To engage, connect with students by asking them, what happens when you’re standing in a rainstorm, a windy place, a snow storm? (answers they might say → you get wet, it’s hard to move forward or you might fall over, the snow sticks to you..) 

  • What materials can you add to make your structure stronger or more sturdy for faster winds/more rainfall/thicker snow? ● How can you keep it so the wind doesn’t get into the structure? (make stronger/sturdier/solid sides)

Vocabulary:

  • Storm, gusts, structure, sturdy, elements, hazards, precautions

Reflection prompts:

  • What worked well? What material worked best? ●

  • What worked best to make the structure sturdy

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