Maryland Creative Problem Solvers Instant Challenge Library

The School Project

This is a hybrid (verbal/hands-on) challenge.

The Challenge:

Using the materials provided, determine the school project that the materials were to be used for, complete the project and explain it.

Time:

You will have 6 minutes to determine what the school project was and complete the project.

The Scene:

You are home sick with the flu. While you are asleep, your mom leaves a bag full of materials on your nightstand with a note that says the following: "These are the materials your teacher told me to give you to complete your school project. Please complete the project before I get home from work". You look further and there are no directions for the school project. Based on these materials, you must figure out what the project might have been, do it and be ready to explain it.

Materials:

10 spaghetti

10 "ziti" (pasta)

6 straws

2 rubber bands

2 sheets notebook paper

1 12" piece of string

5 paper clips

3 cotton balls

1 12" piece of wax paper

2 sheets construction paper (8.5 x 11)

5 index cards

1 paper cup

1 paper plate

4 mailing labels

1 12" piece of aluminum foil

Directions:

You will have 5 minutes to design and construct your school project. At the end of the 5 minutes, you will have 2 minutes to present your school project to the judges.

Scoring:

25 points for reactivity of the project
15 points for Creativity of the use of materials
15 points for Presentation of project
25 points for Teamwork
20 points for Humor of the overall presentation of the project