Sugarcubedesign.png
Sugarcubedesign.png

Sugar City Architects

$0.00
Session Type:

In this hands-on engineering class, students explore how real-world structures are designed and built by using simple sugar cubes as their building material. Working individually or in small teams, students are challenged to create multiple structures—such as towers, bridges, and especially arches—that can stand on their own and support weight without collapsing.

In this hands-on engineering class, students explore how real-world structures are designed and built by using simple sugar cubes as their building material. Working individually or in small teams, students are challenged to create multiple structures—such as towers, bridges, and especially arches—that can stand on their own and support weight without collapsing.

Students experiment, test, and redesign as they build, learning through trial and error just like real engineers. The class emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration while introducing foundational engineering concepts in a fun, age-appropriate way.

What Students Will Learn

  • Structural Engineering Basics
    Students learn how different shapes (arches, pyramids, cubes) distribute weight and why some designs are stronger than others.

  • Why Arches Are Strong
    Through hands-on construction, students discover how arches transfer forces downward and outward, making them one of the strongest structural forms used in bridges and buildings around the world.

  • Load, Balance, and Stability
    Students test how much weight their structures can hold and observe how balance and symmetry affect stability.

  • Design–Build–Test–Improve Cycle
    Students practice the core engineering process: planning a design, building it, testing it, identifying failures, and improving the structure.

  • Teamwork and Communication
    When working in groups, students learn how to share ideas, divide tasks, and explain their design choices.

  • Creative Problem Solving
    With limited materials, students must think critically and creatively to achieve strong, functional designs.

By the end of the class, students will understand that engineering is not about getting it right the first time—it’s about learning from failure, improving designs, and discovering how simple materials can create powerful structures.