Playdough Engineering

Click HERE for the Playdough Engineering Lesson Plan ​

Playdough Engineering

• Playdough
• Popsicle sticks
• Large book
• Paper (or science journal)
• Pencil    

1. Divide students into small groups and provide a lump of playdough, some popsicle sticks and pencil and paper. Instruct groups to build a structure out of playdough and popsicle sticks that will be able to hold the book. Encourage children to use collaboration and to make drawings and depictions with their plan for the structure.
2. Test out each group’s structure by placing the book on the structures one at a time. Discuss the differences in structures while explaining that there is no “right” way to build one.
3. Lastly, have groups analyze the process in which they built their structures. Ask guiding questions such as:

• Did your group make an initial plan? How did that work for your end result?
• How would you describe your group’s communication skills?
• If you were to do this activity again, what would you change? Why?