How a Class-Wide Strawbees Project Sparked Curiosity and Engagement Across an Entire School.
"Kids and teachers in other classes would stop what they were doing during recess just to see what we were creating with Strawbees! The whole school was curious!"
Gifted Ed Teacher, North Carolina, US
Sam Yancey, a Gifted Education teacher in North Carolina, understands the importance of collaboration and hands-on learning in engaging students. While working on a project using Strawbees, a versatile STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) tool for building and prototyping, Sam tasked his students with creating a Serpinsky Pyramid, a large geometric structure composed of tetrahedrons.
The project not only prompted teamwork and problem-solving within the classroom but also sparked curiosity and engagement across the entire school community, showcasing the power of collaborative learning.
Sam introduced the Serpinsky Pyramid project as a way for his students to explore engineering, math, and collaborative problem-solving. Using Strawbees connectors and straws, students worked together to construct a massive pyramid, building one tetrahedron at a time.
The project required students to think critically about how to organize their work. They quickly realised that completing the pyramid within the allotted time would only be possible if everyone pooled their talents and worked efficiently. Students developed their own system to coordinate tasks, distribute materials, and solve problems as they arose.
One key challenge was figuring out how to transport the giant pyramid outside the classroom so they could share their creation with others. This problem-solving task became a highlight of the project, requiring teamwork, creativity, and logistical planning. Students worked together to carefully move the pyramid through doors and hallways, a task that brought the class closer as a cohesive unit.
Once the pyramid was moved outside, the impact of the project grew far beyond the classroom walls. Students from other grades, teachers, and even recess-goers noticed the enormous structure and came over to ask questions. Students and teachers alike were captivated by the project and wanted to know more about both the pyramid and the tool used to create it: Strawbees.
The Serpinsky Pyramid project demonstrated the power of collaborative learning. Students recognised that completing such a large and intricate structure would require all their talents and energy. They naturally developed a system for working together, sharing roles, and staying motivated to achieve their collective goal.
One of the most exciting outcomes of the project was how it engaged the entire school. As the pyramid was moved outside, it captured the attention of other students and teachers, sparking curiosity and excitement. Students from other classes asked questions like, “What is that? What have they made?” and eagerly joined the discussion. This cross-school engagement showcased how collaborative projects can build a sense of community and shared learning, taking it further than just a classroom setting, something Strawbees kits facilitate and encourage.
While students focused on the fun and excitement of building, they were also applying essential STEAM concepts like geometry, structural engineering, and mathematical reasoning. For example, they worked on developing the required number of tetrahedrons to complete the pyramid and discussed how they could scale the project to make an even larger structure. The math and problem-solving were seamlessly integrated into the activity, making learning feel natural and enjoyable.
Not only did the project inspire students to think bigger, allowing them to step back to admire their pyramid, but it also encouraged questions about what it would take to make an even larger structure. These discussions sparked curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity, driving students to push the boundaries of what they thought was possible.
"It was the first time the students realised what they could create if they all worked together, and how quickly they could create it."
Gifted Ed Teacher, North Carolina, US
Would you like a Strawbees representative to reach out to you with more information regarding school district purchases? We can help you find the most suited engineering and robotics solution to make more ‘aha’ STEM or STEAM moments for your teachers and students possible!
