Activity Guide

Ideal for use in afterschool programs, workshops, and events, the Activity Guide has five versatile activities that require little facilitation and are manageable with large numbers of kids.

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You may download the entire DESIGN SQUAD Activity Guide (3.5M) or in the following sections:

Front and Back Covers

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Activity Guide Introductory Material

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Contents:

• Introducing the Design Process
• Talking to Kids about Engineering
• Fit Design Squad into any Program
• Web Resources
• Hosting a Design Squad Event
• Sources for Material

Content Standards

The challenges in this guide correspond to the ITEA National Study of Technology Content Standards and the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Science and Technology/Engineering Standards.
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Challenge 1: Watercraft

Find out if you can build an unsinkable boat out of straws and plastic wrap.
Leader Notes - Download PDF (724K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (508K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (736k)

Challenge 2: Paper Table

See how strong a table you can build out of paper.
Leader Notes - Download PDF (716K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (492K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (720K)

Challenge 3: Zip Line

Test how quickly you can get a Ping Pong ball to the bottom of a zip line string.
Leader Notes - Download PDF (692K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (500K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (724K)

Challenge 4: Paddle Power

Check out how fast a boat can paddle itself across a container of water.
Leader Notes - Download PDF (676K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (492K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (724K)

Challenge 5: Helping Hand

See how many objects you can grab with a homemade "bionic" arm.
Leader Notes - Download PDF (700K)
English Activity Sheet - Download PDF (500K)
Spanish Activity Sheet - Download PDF (728k)