S.T.E.M. Design a Water Slide

During S.T.E.M the past couple of weeks the children have been working collaboratively to design and construct a water slide. In their small groups they had to draw and label 3 or more different water slides. They had to share their ideas clearly and listen carefully to each other. 

The materials available to use were 10 straws, 3 cardboard tubes, a bowl to catch the water at the end, masking tape or sellotape, foil or Glad Wrap.

The success criteria was the water will be able to travel down the slide and end up in the bowl and not soak through the slide. The slide will have an access ladder or ramp.

Most of the water slides were successful. When reflecting on the activity and their collaboration skills; they commented that it was hard to make sure every one did their share of the work and some children found it hard working with others to complete the task. A couple of the groups found it difficult to transfer what they had drawn on paper to physically making their design.