Global Cardboard Challenge

Seventh graders created cardboard creations in science. My favorites were the crane and the catapult, but everyone had fun and learned a thing or two.

Watch Caine’s Arcade, the sequel, which tells about the Imagination Foundation, created to Find, Fund, and Foster creativity and entrepreneurship. Tomorrow is the first annual Global Cardboard Challenge.

Caine’s Arcade, Video 1

9 thoughts on “Global Cardboard Challenge

  1. Denise,
    Wasn’t it such fun??!! I loved this break from the ordinary!

    1. Yes, it was delightful! It’s funny what people think to create. We’re going to finish up on Monday playing with some of the games that were made. And the catapult is going to have another round of testing.

      Thanks, Joy!
      Denise

  2. Thank you for sharing. I had seen many tweets about the card board challenge but did not understand where the idea came from. Caine’s Arcade is a very inspirational video highlighting so many important life skills. I bet the kids had a great day. Something I need to think about later this year. Thanks for the inspiration.

    1. I’m glad I could share it with you, Anne-Marie. I think I saw Caine’s Arcade first shared on Twitter via #geniushour–maybe by Hugh or Joy. I love that we can pass around all the great resources through Twitter and blogging. The kids did enjoy building and playing with cardboard, and I believe they practiced problem solving as well.

      Thanks for commenting,
      Denise

  3. Did the kids make these at home? or during school? Just love all the different ideas!
    I’m sure your students will never forget this challenge! I’m sure many are rethinking things they made and how they can improve it next year!

    You are such a fun teacher, Denise!

    Nancy

    1. Hi Nancy,
      We took time during school to make things with cardboard. We watched some videos and talked about simple machines. I asked them to try to make something with a simple machine in it. Some really took me seriously. Others not so much. It was fun to watch them solve problems and figure things out, though.

      Thanks so much for visiting and commenting, Nancy.

      Denise

  4. Hi Denise,
    I’m sure the students who didn’t take you seriously looked at the projects of those who did. Perhaps they took a mental note and thought they might be more thoughtful next time.
    Some students of mine last year found a radio kit in my room – they worked with each other to put it together. They started by NOT reading the directions and then someone decided to read the directions. It was fun watching them organize the items needed to put things together. One boy brought in some tools. It makes me wonder why I don’t do more real life projects like this.
    Your cardboard project sounds like just the thing that might inspire a student or two to become engineers or some such.

    Keep up the good work Denise. I just love reading about what your students accomplish!

  5. I can’t wait for our next Genius Project Day discussion to show these to my students. What a wonderful project for science. Did they blog about it, or keep a journal?

    Thanks for sharing the powerful work your students do.

    I agree with Nancy about the students who weren’t serious. Sometimes our brains just don’t click on certain projects, but the power comes with the sharing — seeing what is possible and hearing how it became a reality.

    Thanks! Sheri

    1. Thanks, Sheri. I do love watching the students develop into independent learners as they progress through seventh grade. This kind of assignment always helps me to see who my leaders in innovation are. They certainly do learn from each other.

      Yes, they have blogged about their own work. I just put them on the same page here.

      Thanks for asking,
      Denise

Comments are closed.