It is suggested that 2 to 3 Event Leaders work at this
challenge.
SPECIAL NOTE: PLEASE SHOW CHILDREN “SLIDER STARS” BEFOR EVENT (SEE CARYL FOR EXPLANATION
Activity: The goal
is to build a “copy cat” K-Nex structure without seeing it. “Builders” are coached by “Tellers” how to do
this. “Tellers” are allowed to watch their builders’ progress. The ultimate challenge is to build four
structures, presented one at a time.
Structures are labeled Easy,
Moderate, Difficult, and Ultimate. Teams start with the easiest structure and
continue on to the higher-point structures until the time is up. Home
teams have the option of dividing into two smaller “sub-teams A & B.” Teams inform Leads as to who are the
“tellers” and who are the “builders.”
They may not use hand gestures, ... only words. After
a structure is built, if “tellers” and “builders” wish to change roles, they
may -- as long as neither has seen the next structure to be built.
Time Allotment:
30 minutes (20 min. Challenge)
- 5
minutes to organize teams for events... briefly explain challenge and
answer questions
- 20
minute challenge
- 5 minutes for wrap-up... answer questions, explain that they will only have 5 minutes to get to next event. They should find their teacher and line up.
Awarding Points:
Structures are presented in order
of increased difficulty.
- Structure
A: 75 points
- Structure
B: 150 points
- Structure
C: 175 points
- Structure
D: 200 points
It is unlikely, but possible, that they can build all four in the given time period. In the event of a tie, the first finished, or furthest along will receive an additional 25 points, next 20, then 15, and so on.
Event Leaders need to give points to unfinished or incorrectly built final structures ... deciding how many points to award, trying to be as consistent as possible (this will be the hardest part). I have laid out points below, which hopefully will provide help with this.
If there is more than one team per classroom, their scores will be averaged together.
Unfinished
Structures: (Piece Points)
· Structure A: 75 points
-- 34 pieces (each worth 2.2 points)
· Structure B: 150 points – 27 pieces (each worth 5.6
points)
· Structure C: 175 points -- 48 pieces (each worth 3.6 points)
Structure D: 200 points – 38 pieces (each worth 5.3 points)
Role of the Challenge Leaders:
- Make area festive with sign & balloons taped somewhere
- Note: You will need to pull Children’s structures apart as soon as they are built and scored (you can do this as children begin their next structure... do not make them wait for you since this is timed). Keep the building sets organized, so that there are enough building materials in bins at all times. Please Do Not break apart the competition structures. I will use them again next year.
- Set up a divider (curtain of cloth, plastic, paper, etc. between teams, so they can’t see what the other teams are building. Two music stands, with cloth hung between them should do the trick.
- Make this as fun and exciting for the students as you can make it. It should be quiet as possible, however, since this takes intense concentration.
- Put ALL structures off to the side, in a hidden area. This would also be a good spot for one of the challenge leaders to pull apart structures.... keeping building supplies replenished at all time. Make sure that pieces go back into the correct boxes! It would be horrible if a challenger didn’t have the needed pieces!
- Cover “traveling structures” with a dishtowel as you bring them to and from the challenge area, so students can’t see them. You can also carry them in the team’s box.
- Event leaders “unveil” the structures to the “tellers,” but structures remain hidden from builders (we will use boxes placed on their sides to house the structures from the builders). “Tellers” then describe to builders, the structure to be built.
- Your most difficult task will be giving “subjective points” for unfinished structures (points that are based on what you feel is fair). If there is ever any doubt as to a result, always give the benefit of the doubt to the student. We don’t want to give points away, but this is a feel good contest. It may be a good idea for challenge leaders to come to a “consensus” on points awarded. I have included points that can be given for each “piece” (above). Pieces should be counted that are correctly placed.
- Set a timer for each team, and start each at the beginning of the activity. Don’t stop the timer until the end of event, or until the hardest structure has been built.
- Once a structure is correctly built, students can move on to the next structure.
- Keep track of the passing time for the students, especially during the last 5 minutes. They must stop building at the designated time. “Hands Up!”
- Watch, to make sure there is no “peeking” by builders, or use of hands in description used by tellers.
- Come up with a final score for each team or at least write down “piece points” and Positive and negative “subjective points” and send out to Score Table.
- Whatever their score ... make all of them feel successful. Shake their hands as they head off.
- Clean up between events. Encourage children to pull their structures completely apart for the next group, before leaving. (Or, once a score is achieved, an event leader can break apart structures)
- DO NOT pull apart the pre-made structures, since we will probably be able to use the same ones every year. Put them, intact, in the box that received them.
- Please clean up and “repackage” the event in readiness for next year. Take balloons and tape off.
- Please talk to or email Caryl Brewbaker at cbrewbaker@mpcsd.org with suggestions & ideas for improvements to Caryl Brewbaker.