Adventure: Snowy Summits

Quest: Grain O’ Salt

Engineering Concept: Arches and Domes

Challenge Level: Easy

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What is the problem?

In this quest, Flynn is still in Switzerland with her parents. Salt is a valuable resource to the Swiss people, and she has been tasked to help save a collapsing salt mine. There are plans to build a road above where the mine is built, therefore the mine must be reinforced to hold a great amount of weight. Working inside the mine, Flynn needs help to design a device that will support the weight of the mine so it can continue to produce this valuable commodity.

How will the students help?

In the first segment, Flynn will ask the participants to creatively solve the problem by planning out how they will use the household materials required to build a solution. Students are encouraged to build a prototype in this segment.

In the second segment, students will research arches and domes to understand how those concepts relate to the problem Flynn is facing. They will be asked to answer open-ended research questions using research links provided by Growin’GEERS and additional research they do on their own.

In the third segment, students will rebuild their initial design based on what they learned in the second segment. They will be asked to create a new plan for how they will use their materials. Once their solution is complete, there will be a Test for Success to see if their solution passes.

What will the participants learn?

  • Arches

  • Domes

  • How mining engineers apply those concepts

  • What mining engineers do

  • Swiss culture

  • History of salt mines in Switzerland

  • Why teamwork is important

  • Why it is okay to fail

What do I need to complete the quest?

  1. Access to a computer to watch the videos and research the concepts

  2. Ability to print the GEERling worksheets for students to plan their design and answer the research questions

  3. Household materials needed to complete the hands-on component


Want to get started?

Get access to every Growin’GEERS quest and let the engineering adventure begin!