Great Minds Thinking Alike

Today was a little low key as all the team members shared their ideas on the complex machine/poacher trap they would like to design. Many of them had similar ideas involving pulleys and inclined planes (ramps).

In the end, we discussed that as a team it is about bringing all the ideas together to make something really awesome. Everyone seemed happy with the idea for the trap. When we meet again in a couple of weeks, the team will start to design all the details and plan for materials.

With a few minutes left in the meeting, the team practiced an untimed Instant Challenge. We are continuing to work on listening to all ideas and work together to achieve the best option. It seems like they are starting to see that many of them are thinking the same thing. By listening to each other, a common goal can be reached more quickly.

Putting on the Thinking Caps

A lot of great thinking and sharing happening today. The team finished up research on simple machines and can name all the types of simple machines.

After a quick snack, everyone brainstormed potential problems to solve with the complex machine they would need to create. It was decided that the team would look at bad hunters (poachers), and their complex machine will be a trap to catch bad hunters.

Everyone also discussed what it means to be a team. They said they should work together and help each other. This is very important when it comes to listening and encouraging each other rather than arguing and having to always be right. This is something we will keep revisiting and working on.

For the week: each team member has been asked to research a type of wilderness (amazon, Savannah, arctic, etc.) and brainstorm what type of trap made of complex machines would work in that environment. Then everyone will share what they have the next time we meet.

Simple Machines rock!