In this design challenge, students will learn about the history of westward expansion in the United States and the difficulties that migrants faced while traveling. Students will be presented with a scenario, which is crossing a river with all of their belongings, that many migrants faced when traveling west. The students will be presented with the following problem: In search of new beginnings, the Jacksons are on a journey to West Texas. However, they have come across a river that is too deep to cross with their wagon alone. The Jacksons must figure out how to get across the river to continue their journey. Students will put on their engineering hats to build a bridge that can safely deliver travelers across the river. Bonus points will be awarded to those who are able to add additional cargo to their wagon and successfully travel across the river.
Students will engage in a STEM challenge to design a truck powered by a chemical reaction that will have to stop within a specific drop-off zone. Teams will be challenged with various payloads to earn bonus points if they can stop in the drop-off zone.
