ACTIVITY SHEET SCIENCE BEHIND BEHIND RAPUNZEL'S TOWER Most of the time spent by engineers involves solving problems. To make this process easier, they usually break the big problem down to smaller problems they can work on step by step. First, you need to get a good idea of exactly what the problem is. Rapunzel needs to figure out how to get down the tower. Next you want to collect information such as what materials does she have to work with and how far does she have to travel to get down to the ground. You will then want to brainstorm ideas as to how you can make improvements. Are there materials you think may work well with your design? Next, you will want to try out your ideas to see if they work the way you wanted them to. Did Rapunzel fall out of the design you made? Was it sturdy enough? Finally, you will want to make adjustments to improve on your design. Maybe there are other materials you can add to help fix any problems. Continue with this process until you have a successful design!
KEY TERMS • • • • •
Adjustment - a change made to achieve a desired result. Brainstorm - a discussion to produce ideas and ways of solving a problem. Engineer - a person who designs, builds, or is the originator of something. Information - facts provided or learned about something. Materials - things needed for an activity.
401 SW Second Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637
ACTIVITY SHEET RAPUNZEL’S TOWER DESIGN PROCESS • • • • •
DESIGN QUESTIONS • How can Rapunzel leave the tower and get to the ground safely? • What would she need to do if she could no longer use her hair?
Problem to solve Imagine a solution Design the solution Test the idea Improve on your idea
THE STORY OF RAPUNZEL Once upon a time, a young girl was trapped in a tower by an evil witch. Rapunzel, the girl, dreamed of leaving her tower and exploring the world beyond. She had magical hair that allowed the evil witch to climb up and bring her food. Every day the witch would stand at the bottom and yell Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair and then she would climb up the hair. On a special day, a young prince found her in the tower and Rapunzel wanted to climb down and visit with the prince. Can you help Rapunzel get down to visit with him?
EXPLORATION I wonder what ideas Rapunzel has to escape the tower. 401 SW Second Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637
ACTIVITY SHEET RAPUNZEL’S TOWER GROWTH MINDSET IS: • • • • •
SUPPLIES
STEPS
Paper towel roll Coloring supplies Pencil Paper Tape Anything you find like: Popsicle sticks, toilet tube, ribbon and other items • Small doll or action figure to test exit
• • • • • •
Trying again instead of giving up. I can do anything I want to do. Challenges help us grow. Mistakes help us grow. Imagination is important.
1. Retell the story. Identify the problem: Rapunzel was stuck in a tower and wanted to get down. 2. Construct the tower by adding a small cone to the top of the paper towel tube. 3. Imagine a way for Rapunzel to exit the tower. Sketch the design if you want. 4. Construct the exit according to your design. 5. Test your design by trying the doll or action figure. If your design did not work, try again.
EXPLORATION I wonder what different kinds of materials would be found in the tower and what would be found on the ground. Would that make a difference in my design? 401 SW Second Street • Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 • 954.467.6637