Blocks for Big Kids: KEVA Planks

My students love KEVA planks!!!!  

What are KEVA Planks? (visit http://www.kevaplanks.com/)

• Every building piece is the same. 
• KEVA planks are about 1/4 inch thick, 3/4 inch wide and 4 1/2 inches long.
•  No sorting or looking for special pieces
• You build structures by simply stacking the planks. 
• No glue or connectors.
• Easy clean up.
• Made of sturdy maple.

The only difference between the two sets below is the contraptions set has two balls and the manuals are different.  The contraption manual has some ways to set up ramps.  I have both sets.

Check out a video using the contraptions

My students' first challenge with KEVA planks was to build the tallest tower using 50 planks.  They all quickly built a tower looking like a Jenga game.  I walked around the room with a meter stick measuring and asking them to try another way.  How can we get them taller?  

I did this lesson with five classes and it was so much fun to watch the process in all of them.  As the time went on the towers got taller.  They figured out various ways to get height.

KEVA Planks are a great filler when students are finished their work before other groups.  I had them create bridges during our bridge unit.

I use KEVA Planks as a choice at Maker Space Club.  The possibilities are endless.

The Boston Children's Museum has an exhibit that is very inspiring.  

KEVA has an amazing website with information, lesson plans, building ideas, videos and much more.

Click to go to website

I'm Done!!!!

This year is totally new for me.  Teaching engineering everyday with five classes has been awesome but there are some challenges.  One of the struggles is having meaningful activities for groups that finish their work early.

                                

We are currently working on bridges and are building in stages.  I have set up several different activities that they can choose to work on if they are finished.

• Lego Bridges/Lego wall
• Kinex Bridges
• Research a famous bridge or structure:  I purchased on TPT
• Golden Gate Bridge Brochure:  I purchased on TPT
• Keva Plank Bridges
• Read about Bridges
• Create a Toothpick bridge

Shapes and Structures (Freebie)

We are getting ready to start our unit on bridges.  I wanted to review 3D shapes and parts.

I started with a lesson on the strongest shape, a square or a triangle.  I used the AngLegs and gave each group a triangle and a square made with them.  We held them and pushed down on the top of the shape.  The square collapsed.  The kids quickly saw that the triangle was stronger.  I gave them one more angle piece and I asked them if they could make the square stronger.  Students added the piece diagonally and identified that the square was made of two triangles.

AngLegs

We discussed new vocabulary and what happened to our square.

We watched the Design Squad video showing a few demonstrations of strong triangles.

I then challenged groups to build with straws and connectors.  Each group had to make different 3D shapes and test to find the strongest shape.  My students love this kit!  I highly recommend them.  They are very sturdy and would be great for math or  recess.  

Straws and Connectors

 Our strongest shape!

Click for Printable

Building Bridges: Part 2

Please see my first post,  Bridges Part 1, to see how we got started.

As I was leaving and packing up my bags the week I was introducing types of bridges,  I looked out at the construction going on and I spotted trusses.  We were so fortunate to go on a mini field trip the next day.  I was even given the blueprints of the trusses used to build our new snack shack and restrooms.

There are many great books, images and videos on the Internet.  We learned about the main types of bridges and parts.

Now to the design challenge.  My engineers had to build a bridge using exactly 50 Popsicle sticks(all cut pieces) that allows a car to pass and holds weight.  It had to have a minimum six inch.  Here are a few sketches:

This tool is amazing.  It cuts through Popsicle sticks and allows you to make angles.  I had my students wear eye goggles and supervised them while using.  They are sharp and pieces fly.

Link

When gluing, use wax paper on top of cardboard or foam board.  Use a craft glue, I bought the new Elmer's Glue All and small refillable bottles.  I did not use the hot glue gun until the last day for any emergency repairs.  We worked in stages and spent three days building.

 A little overkill with the glue!!!!

I planned extra activities for students who were done gluing and waiting for things to dry.  There was a bridge sort, research bridge projects and making Lego bridges. 

Testing day was so much fun.  My students gathered around my big table and we tested each bridge for a car to travel on and that the bridge could hold weight.  There were a few groups whose bridge did not meet the size criteria.

Our bridge display