3D Figure Recycling Project

So mid March at the end of our geometry unit my kids have a huge STEM project given to them. Our class collected recycled materials for about two weeks prior to initiating the project. Then I give them an open ended project to plan, design, and build something using the recycled materials. The only requirements for the project is they must use at least 6 containers. On Day 1, I read them a book about architects and how they use blueprints to design buildings and my little designers get started drawing their plan. We discussed how parts of our body and buildings and other things are made of 3D shapes and we needed to include those in our design. You can see one of the kids designs in the photo below.

 Day 2, I let them go to it! I had sent emails home prior weeks asking for rolls of masking tape so I had one for every two kids. They started cutting and taping and I let them do their thing! This is when you really see their creativity come out! Yes, I support with their taping and help to make sure the tape sticks. 

 

Day 3 some kids were done taping and we just put some reinforcement tape on it and others needed the full day to finish building their design. Before being allowed to paint my kids have to go back to their design and identify what colors they will need to paint their project. This helps me with what paint to put on the tray and well get them thinking about where they are going. 

 Painting lasts 2 days the first day we talked about making a "base coat" and then the second day I handed out detail brushes so they could add details like spots, stripes, and windows to their projects. I use the big butcher paper on the first day of painting because they ARE VERY MESSY and the butcher paper really soaks up the mess.

 

 The last and final day my kids have to write a story about their finished project to read to the class. They were so incredibly cute and were so proud of their completed projects! I was too! I had all sorts of things built from people to giraffes to a school bus to rockets to a castle! Here is the finished product of the original design I showed you earlier!