What kind of car would you build, if it included anything you wanted? A snack machine? A turbo boost button?A story-telling steering wheel?

Using Legos, build your dream car!

After the cars are built, find a ramp or sloped path and send the cars down it. Which car went the fastest? Which car travelled the farthest? Which one looks the most interesting/ crazy/ fun?

(Note: this could also be an activity that involves simple motors, cardboard, and axle/ wheel sets)d

Cloth Creation

In the book, Louise Bourgeois uses fabric and then sculpture as a means of expressing herself. Using the fabric scraps that you have and simple hand-sewing technique, what animal-inspired fabric sculpture can you make? A spider like Louise? Or another animal that you are inspired by?

Think about how you can apply texture and pattern to your fabric sculpture.

What's your favorite game? After reading the book The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors, think about what board games you love to play. What is it about them that makes them fun: the competition, the characters, the moving around on the board?

Next, design your own board game. This activity can use simple recyclables and glue, or build up to a higher-fidelity version with 3D printed pieces and laser cut boards.

In this take-apart activity, you will use tools to disassemble various household appliances and defunct electronics while thinking about how the objects were put together, and what that might tell us about how they worked. 

You will then use the pieces to make robot sculptures. Think about connections and functionality when putting things together. Sculptures can have moving parts, and have lots of character, just like the Robo-Sauce robot!

What’s in a Name?

In the book, the boy thinks that the moose belongs to him because he has given it a name (and nametag!). What does your name mean? Who chose your name?

Activities:

Explore names through different expressions:

• Use lego bricks to form your name in Braille
• Make binary code bead sequence bracelets of the letters in your name in Morse Code

Students can also explore collage/ layered image project, where they draw their name in large format, then import it into Photoshop and use layers to digitally add images and text to the name collage.

Claymation

In the book, the two clay blobs find all different forms and become different characters. Each student will get a piece of clay and some googly eyes to create a character. Then, students will pair up and make a quick storyboard, and use some materials to make a backdrop and props. Finally, they will record 30-second stop-motion animation using the characters and set that they’ve created.

Suspension Bridge

In the book, Iggy and his classmates made a suspension bridge from found items and shoelaces. Using string, tape, and recycled materials, build a suspension bridge that can span two desks and can carry matchbox cars across it.

Make an Unstuckinator

1. Make an X with two popsicle sticks,and attach them in the center with a brad (brass fastener)
2. Repeat to make at least 3 Xs
3. Attach one X to the next at the ends using more brads
4. Add something grippy or grabby to the ends

Use your customized Unstuckinator at the Challenge station-- what objects can you un-stick?