Sunday STEM Funday - Civil Engineering Edition
Welcome to a special edition of Sunday STEM Funday, dedicated to the fascinating world of civil engineering, brought to you by GWES.
Activity: Sandcastle Foundations Challenge
Experience the fun outdoors with the Sandcastle Foundations Challenge! Through this playful activity, kids will learn about the importance of strong foundations and soil stability in civil engineering projects.
Materials you’ll need:
• Sand (a sandbox or a visit to the beach would be perfect)
• Buckets and small spades/shovels
• Water
• Stones, shells, and sticks for decoration (optional)
Steps:
1. Introduce Foundations: Start by explaining how buildings and structures need a strong foundation to stay upright, especially in different types of soil.
2. Build the Base: Have the kids dampen the sand with water, then pack it tightly into the bucket to form the base of their sandcastle.
3. Shape and Design: Once the base is set, kids can shape and carve their sandcastle, ensuring they have a strong and wide base for stability.
4. Test Stability: Once their castles are built, simulate “earthquakes” by lightly shaking or tapping the ground nearby. Discuss which designs stood strong and why.
5. Decorate: Allow the kids to decorate their sandcastles using stones, shells, and sticks.
6. Discuss: Talk about the significance of a sturdy foundation and relate it back to real-world buildings and structures.
7. Share the Fun: Capture the budding engineers in action and share photos of their sandcastle creations on social media, celebrating their innovative designs!
Eager for more hands-on engineering challenges? Stay tuned every Sunday for more STEM fun!
Unearth the basics of civil engineering with hands-on exploration, making foundational concepts tangible and fun.
#SundaySTEMFunday #GWESSTEM #SandcastleFoundationsChallenge #CivilEngineering
Landscape Architecture Designer | Building Industry Leaders Co-Chair
4moAs an LISD alumni it’s great to give back to the district that got me here 😊