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Project challenge:

once upon a maze

Suggested Ages: K – 2nd Grades

A character, a goal, and obstacles in the way—All the elements of a good story combined with the fun and challenge of a tilting marble maze. It’s easy to build, but you’ll need to test and REFLECT often to make sure your hero can make it to the end.

Engaging Design-It-Yourself projects to inspire young innovators

This is no ordinary DIY project for kids: It’s a step toward becoming an innovator.

 

Every Galileo Design-It-Yourself Challenge teaches the same techniques and mindsets that professional designers an engineers, artists and chefs use in their work. With skills like these, we believe you can change the world.

Get Involved—For Grown Ups

Materials list:

Find these materials or a close substitute: 

 

  • Paper
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Marbles
  • Something to draw with (markers, pens, etc.)
  • Piece of cardboard (about 11″ x 11″)

 

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they create:

 

PREP SUPPORT:


Cut out an”11 x 11” piece of cardboard

 

ACTIVITY DETAILS:

 

1. Think of a story and make small sketches of the main character, something it wants, and at least two things it doesn’t want. 

  • Ask: Who is the main character in your story? What do they want and what do they not want?

 

2. Build paper walls to keep the marble on the cardboard maze. (1:29)

 

3. Start building a path from the character to their goal—You may want to have younger kids just focus on the walls and save the marble traps as a step-it-up extension once their walls are done. (2:50)

 

4. Test early and redesign as needed.

  • Support being reflective: If kids are having a hard time troubleshooting, observe with them and ask guiding questions to help them notice where the maze isn’t working.
  • Ask: Where is the marble getting stuck/falling out? 
  • Ask: How can you make the maze easier/more fun and challenging?

 

5. Create marble traps. (3:56)

 

6. Fill up the whole maze with paths.

 

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Add more detail to your story!  Create scenery and other characters to bring your story to life.
  • Invent your own marble maze features, such as ramps and tunnels!
  • Too complicated or taking too long? Omit the marble traps and just focus on getting the marble from the character to their goal!

 

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their project and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

 

  • What part of your maze are you most proud about? Why? 
  • How were you reflective when making the maze? What are some of the things you noticed when you tested? Did you find any problems and think of ways to solve them?
  • What are some things you redesigned to make the maze more fun and challenging?

Subscribe Now—It’s Free!

 

With so many changes to everyone’s regular routines, we know you’re likely looking for ways to keep your kids learning (and yourself sane) while schools are closed. Subscribe here and Galileo will deliver a week’s work of activities to your inbox every Sunday to add to your routine!

SHARE!

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

 

SHARE WITH galileo

 

Take a photo or video of your marble maze tale and share it with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

 

Share with family and friends

 

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

 

  • Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
  • How: in person, on the phone, online
  • When: anytime, starting now!