Adventure: Snowy Summits
Quest: Slipping Up
Engineering Concept: Weight Distribution and Ergonomics
Challenge Level: Average
What is the problem?
In this quest, Flynn, a budding engineer, has been asked to help her parents survey a hydroelectric plant in Switzerland. She must take pictures from high up in the Alps to survey the plant and make sure it’s safe, but she is having trouble climbing the mountain due to the deep snow.
How will the students help?
In the first segment, Flynn will ask the participants to creatively solve her 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 weight distribution and ergonomics to understand how these concepts are related 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?
Weight distribution
Ergonomics
How industrial engineers apply those concepts
What industrial engineers do
Swiss culture
Swiss history
Why teamwork is important
Why it is okay to fail
What do I need to complete the quest?
Access to a computer to watch the videos and research the concepts
Ability to print the GEERling worksheets for students to plan their design and answer the research questions
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!