Westwood Learning Commons
STEAM Design Challenges
New Design Challenges are uploaded daily at
https://www.littleinventors.org/events/little-inventors-daily-challenges/info
Many EngineeringChallenges to choose from at
Westwood Fort Building Challenge!!!
The Staff at Westwood are challenging you to a Fort Building Competition! Building an awesome fort takes imagination, planning, problem solving,
teamwork and communication! Create an amazing fort (indoor or outdoor) and take a picture to share!
​
Send your photos to:
They will be posted in the "Gallery" tab of the Westwood Learning Commons Webpage!
The Staff at Westwood are challenging you to a Balloon Car Challenge! You must create a balloon powered vehicle that is sturdy (does not fall apart when in use) and can travel at least 5 feet in a straight line. More information below.
​
Send your photos or videos to:
They will be posted in the "Gallery" tab of the Westood Learning Commons Webpage!
Westwood Balloon Car Challenge!!!
Make a Crystal Sun Catcher
Spring is finally here! Catch some of those wonderful rays of sunlight with some home-grown crystals. Add food coloring to change the colors of your suncatcher.
​
Materials Needed:
​
Clear Plastic lid from a container
Epsom Salt
Hot Water
Food Coloring (optional)
Pin
String
Instructions
-
1. Measure You will be using a ratio of 1:1 water to Epsom Salt for this project. Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to a bowl or large Pyrex measuring cup.
​​
-
2. Heat 1 cup of water it does not need to get to boiling temperature. (You can use the microwave or a kettle)
​​
-
3. Carefully pour the water into the bowl with the salt. Do this quickly so that the water is warm. Add food coloring if desired Stir the salt and water for 1-2 minutes to dissolve the salt.
​​
-
4. Place several plastic lids on a flat-bottomed tray in a sunny location where they can remain undisturbed.
​​
-
5. Pour some of the liquid into the recycled plastic lids. Use just enough to cover the bottom of the lid. DON’T OVERFILL!
​​
-
6. Leave your lids in sunny location. Depending on how much liquid has been added it will take a few hours or a day to start crystallizing. I know it will look like lids full of water at first but be patient!
​​
-
7. When the liquid has completely evaporated your crystal suncatcher is ready! You will be able to see lovely crystal structures from both side of the lid.
​​
-
8. VERY carefully poke a small hole in the edge of the lid and thread a piece of string through the hole. Tie in a knot and hang your suncatcher up!