Curious Investigators: Exploring Our World · 3rd Class

Active learning ideas

Building Stable Towers

Active learning works for this topic because third class pupils learn best by doing. When children build and test towers, they directly experience how design choices affect stability. This hands-on approach builds lasting understanding of engineering principles better than abstract explanations alone.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• NCCA: Primary - Materials
• NCCA: Primary - Energy and Forces

• 25–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Project-Based Learning
• 45 min · Small Groups

Straw Challenge: Marshmallow Towers

Provide straws, marshmallows, and tape. Students sketch initial designs, then build towers aiming for maximum height in 20 minutes. Test stability by placing a small weight on top and gently shaking the table. Groups discuss improvements before a second build.

Explain the principles of stability and balance in tall structures.

Facilitation Tip

During the Straw Challenge, circulate and ask pairs to point out where they placed their widest base before testing with the fan.

What to look for

Give students a small card. Ask them to draw a simple sketch of their tower and label one feature that made it stable. Then, ask them to write one sentence explaining why that feature helps.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Project-Based Learning
• 30 min · Pairs

Wind Tunnel Test: Fan Challenge

Build towers as above. Set up a fan at low speed to simulate wind. Students position towers 30cm from the fan, measure survival time, and record data on a class chart. Iterate designs based on results.

Critique different tower designs for their structural integrity.

Facilitation Tip

For the Wind Tunnel Test, stand behind the fan so your body doesn't block the airflow and influence results.

What to look for

After testing, ask: 'Which tower designs were the most stable and why?' Encourage students to refer to specific design elements like the base or internal supports. Prompt further: 'What would you change about your tower to make it even stronger?'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 03

• Project-Based Learning
• 35 min · Small Groups

Design Critique: Peer Review Stations

Students build prototype towers. Rotate to three stations to observe and score peers' designs on height, base width, and triangle use using a simple rubric. Return to refine own towers incorporating feedback.

Construct a tower that can withstand external forces like wind.

Facilitation Tip

At Peer Review Stations, have students rotate clockwise with a timer so every group gets equal feedback time.

What to look for

As students build, circulate and ask: 'What is the widest part of your tower's base?' and 'Where is the heaviest part of your tower?' Observe their responses and guide them to consider how these affect stability.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

Activity 04

• Project-Based Learning
• 25 min · Whole Class

Class Tower-Off: Final Competition

Each group presents their best tower with a short explanation of stability features. Whole class votes on categories like tallest stable or most creative. Test all in a shared wind challenge.

Explain the principles of stability and balance in tall structures.

What to look for

Give students a small card. Ask them to draw a simple sketch of their tower and label one feature that made it stable. Then, ask them to write one sentence explaining why that feature helps.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making

A few notes on teaching this unit

Approach this topic by letting students struggle first, then guiding them to discover principles through guided questions. Avoid giving answers upfront. Research shows that children learn stability best when they test hypotheses and adjust designs iteratively. Praise effort in redesigns, not just final products, to build a growth mindset around engineering challenges.

Successful learning looks like students using triangles and wide bases to create sturdy towers that withstand gentle shaking or wind. They should explain their design choices by naming specific stability features and revising designs based on testing results. By the end, pupils should confidently compare stability factors across different structures.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Straw Challenge, watch for students who stack tall towers without wide bases, assuming height alone creates stability.

  Ask students to trace the footprint of their tower base on paper and compare it to the tower's height. Have them gently shake the table to see which towers collapse first.

• During the Wind Tunnel Test, watch for students who believe adding more marshmallows automatically strengthens their tower.

  Have students compare two towers side-by-side: one tall and narrow with many marshmallows, another shorter with strategic triangle supports but fewer marshmallows.

• During the Design Critique Peer Review Stations, watch for students who assume straight vertical poles are the strongest supports.

  Provide pairs with popsicle sticks and tape to build a straight pole tower and a braced tower, then test both on the table edge to observe which holds longer.

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Methods used in this brief

• Project-Based Learning