Save Fred!

Thursday we worked on a STEM project that helps develop the 4C's: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. It was Saving Fred! Students were given 4 items: A gummy worm, a gummy life saver, a cup, and 4 paper clips. The story is:

Fred, the worm, has been spending his summer boating on the Great Lakes. He’s never learned how to swim and he never wears his life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but unfortunately, he does not know how to reach it without falling off and drowning. 
The Problem: How can you and your partner save Fred using only 4 paper
clips?

Contraints: You may not touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver directly
with your hands! Fred may only fall off boat one time.

small

☺)

He’s never learned how to swim and he never wears his

life preserver. The worst has happened! His boat has capsized

and he’s stuck! Fortunately, his life preserver is in the boat, but

unfortunately he does not know how to reach it without falling off

an

d drowning.

Problem:

How can you and your partner save Fred using only 4 paper clips? You may not

touch Fred, the boat, or the life preserver directly with your hands!

Materials:

Gummy Worm

Gummy life preserver

1 plastic cup

4 Paper Clips

The

Set

-

Up:

Procedure:

1.

Set up the challenge as shown in the picture above. Work with your partner and "Save

Fred".

2.

Follow the rules. Fred, the boat, the life preserver can be touched only with the paper

clips. NO HANDS.

3.

A

flowchart

is a diagra

m showing a sequence of operations. Fill in the flowchart on the

back side of this page with diagrams showing step by step how your group completed

the challenge. Be sure that you:

Produce neat and detailed pictures.

Label the major parts of your diagram.

Include a written description of each diagram using complete sentences.

4.

List any problems or challenges that your group encountered during the challenges.

5.

Answer the Post

-

Challenge Questions and rate this activity.

BOAT

FRED

LIFE

PRESERVER