Task Overview: The scope of the project is to construct a high tower. We split the teenagers into two groups competing on who makes the best and most attract tower. Each team must have a volunteer (or more) who will help the teens develop ideas on how to build the tower and build the tower.
End Result (Tower is Unpainted)
Resources Needed :
- cane sticks – each teams should have an equal amount of cane sticks (Fair Competition)
- string
- tape
- newspapers
- paint (for decoration afterwards).
Method:
- Volunteers will discuss with the teenagers about the tower’s design
- The tower frame is constructed by making use of cane sticks. Joints of the tower are tied together making use of string and tape.
- During the project emphasis should be made that the teens should use as least tape as possible. This is a good environmental remark to pass around since tape is made out of plastic and plastic is bad for the environment, therefore we economize on its use. The team that used the least amount of tape should be given extra points.
- Once the cane structure is complete cover the structure with newspapers. Newspaper can either be affixed to the structure with strings, tape or cheap paper glue.
- Once the structure is complete it can be painted. This might take an hour or two, depending on the amount of time invested.
Results: Generally speaking the teenagers enjoyed doing the craft. On a number of occasions they were a bit distracted though since the craft could not be wholly performed by themselves and volunteers had to come in and help. Children needed most help in making knots and in holding the different pieces and parts of the structure until they tie them together. The fact that there was competition on who constructs the highest tower helped motivate the teens to do the task and counter-effect the distractions.
When we carried out this task we had a great advantage that we were more volunteers then teens. It is not so common that we have such a small group. If we had a larger group of children the situation might have been slightly more difficult, since the teens we work with require more attention from volunteers.
While constructing the tower the volunteers engaged the children in brainstorming about how buildings and what they should include. Such as, where to put entrances, balconies, terraces, windows, etc… Volunteers prompted the children to compare the tower they were constructing with existing buildings, so that they will be inspired on what they should include in their tower. Volunteers took the opportunity to teach the children about new buildings which these children have heard about yet know little to nothing about, such as Egyptian pyramids, historical buildings in Malta, world’s tallest skyscrapers, etc..
Improvements:
- We did not paint the tower after completing construction. It would have looked great J. The problem was that we did not have enough time.
- We should have invested more time teaching the teens on how to make stronger knots. Volunteers should share experience in how to tie knots before meeting with the children
- More attention should have been paid so that the structures would be stronger and less tape could have been used.
Photos:
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