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Session 3: Tower Challenge 🏗️

Overview

Grades: 3-4 | Duration: 40 minutes | Session: 3 of 17

Students explore structural engineering by building tall towers using KEVA planks, testing height and stability.

Session 3: Tower Challenge

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand principles of tall structure stability

  • Apply engineering concepts: base, center of gravity

  • Build and test tower structures

  • Iterate and improve designs

Session 3: Tower Challenge

Materials Needed

  • 📦 KEVA Planks (from CSCOE library)

  • 📏 Measuring tape

  • 📓 Engineering journals

  • 📸 Camera for documentation

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

Tower of Babel Reflection — The Bible story reminds us that our building should glorify God, not ourselves. We build to SERVE!

Scripture

"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." — Psalm 127:1

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you are the master architect of creation. Help us build structures that serve others and give glory to you. Guide our engineering today. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (6 minutes)

  1. Tall Structures:
  2. "Why do people build tall?"
  3. Examples: Burj Khalifa, Empire State Building, church spires
  4. Engineering Principles:
  5. Wide Base — Distributes weight
  6. Center of Gravity — Keep it balanced
  7. Symmetry — Equal on all sides
  8. Triangles — Add strength
  9. Tower of Babel:
  10. Built for pride, not service
  11. Our towers serve people and honor God
  12. Challenge — "Build the tallest stable tower!"

Main Activity: Tower Engineering (26 minutes)

Part 1: The Challenge (3 minutes)

  • Build the tallest FREESTANDING tower

  • Must stand for 10 seconds

  • Only KEVA planks—no tape, glue, etc.

  • Work in pairs

Part 2: Design & Build (18 minutes)

Design Phase (3 min):

  • Sketch tower design

  • Think: How will it be stable?

  • Plan base structure

Build Phase (12 min):

  • Start building!

  • Remember: Wide base, balanced design

  • Test stability as you go

  • If it falls—learn and rebuild!

Measurement (3 min):

  • Final measurement (must stand 10 seconds)

  • Record heights

  • Document what worked

Part 3: Analysis (5 minutes)

  • Compare towers:
  • What design features do the tallest share?

  • What caused towers to fall?

  • Class discussion: Design principles discovered

Engineering Journal (5 minutes)

  1. Draw your tower design (before and after)
  2. Record: "My tower reached ___ inches/cm"
  3. Write: "The most important design principle is..."
  4. Write: "If I did this again, I would..."

Closing Circle (3 minutes)

  1. Height Records — Celebrate tallest and most creative!
  2. Service Focus — "How do tall buildings serve people?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "God, may everything we build serve others and give glory to you. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Applied stability principles

  • Built freestanding structure

  • Iterated after failures

  • Analyzed successful designs

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Starter base structure

  • Partner with experienced builder

  • Lower height goal

For Advanced Students

  • Height + weight-bearing challenge

  • Limited plank count

  • Design constraints (specific base size)

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Build towers at home with playing cards, blocks, or other materials! Research the tallest buildings in the world. What makes them stable? Visit a tall building or church steeple!

Teacher Notes

  • Reserve KEVA planks from CSCOE

  • Clear large floor/table space

  • Document with photos

  • Consider class tower record board

  • Great for collaboration skills

Previous: Session 2 — Ozobot Coding
Next: Session 4 — Ecosystems