Engineering Play

I recently saw a post about using pool noodles as marble tracks.  On our recent trip to the Dollar Store we picked up some noodles, "duct" tape, and marbles.  I cut one noodle in half, brought out the materials, and let B explore.  I was truly impressed with how he explored weight, inertia, barriers, etc.  He has been focused on this project for twenty-four hours now.  He even delayed going to swim with Grumpa and Grammy to pursue his mission!  Now THAT is interest!

 

Don't you just LOVE the lumberjack shirt?  Grammy got it for B when she and Grumpa went to Alaska.  Also, you will notice the little square blocks.  I was about to paint them when B snagged them to help position the noodles...

Ryan suggested that B place a container at the end of the tunnel and try to get the marbles to bounce off of the fireplace and roll into the bucket.

 

Please ignore the chair on he counter...it was being cleaned due to an unfortunate diaper situation...

 

And he made it! Notice the green marble...

 

B soon abandoned the couch in attempt to make his chute work on the floor.  That was a nice learning experience as he had to determine how much force was necessary to move the marbles the desired distance...

 

He soon realized that he must angle to noodle.  In a proud former-English-teacher moment B made his first pun when he remarked, holding a piece of duct tape that had folded upon itself, "This is a sticky situation."  My heart gleaned with joy! 

 

Eventually, he gave up on the floor being the answer, and he attached the noodle to the bar stool...

 

Here he is, satisfied and enjoying his final product, marble by marble!

Warning: there may have been some marble mishaps, so next time you visit watch your step for strays ;)

On a serious note, Ryan and I had the BEST TIME watching B learn and explore so organically.  I wish all of his learning could be so self-directed.  In fact, as I was filling out paperwork for his new Waldorf class coming this fall, I was asked what I see to be the role of education in a child's life.  I answered there just as I expressed here, "Education should be the organic result of children pursuing their passions and curiosities." Fortunately, I have a marvelous student for whom this sort of education is so possible!