Students are working on a MakerSpace project in the library in collaboration with the 4th grade teacher. They are building something that could help solve a problem using biomimicry. Mrs. Q is walking around the library talking with students as they work. She notices Tim, sitting at his desk with his head down. He has a drawing of a dog on his paper. She heads over to him.

    “Hi Tim, do you need help getting started?” Mrs. Q  asks. 

    “I don’t know what to do. I don’t think I will be able to do it.” Tim mumbles, head still down.

    "Let’s think about a problem you have. What is something that you have trouble with?” Mrs. Q inquires.

    “Umm. In class we drop things all the time and I hate picking them up when I already have so much stuff in my hands.” Tim says, pointing to his pencil on the floor.

    “That’s a great problem to solve! What animals can you think of that might help you?” Mrs. Q wonders.

    “Anteaters have long tongues.” Tim replies.

    “They do! Could you make something that is long like that? Draw a picture of what you want it to look like.”

Tim sketches out a design in his notebook.

    “Do we have any supplies here that would help you build this?

    “I could use the dowels maybe? And tape or glue because they are sticky and will help to hold onto the stuff.” Tim points as he mentions the items on the shelf. 

    “Awesome! Let’s write down what supplies you will use and how it will help you, so that next time you can keep going from where you are.” Mrs. Q encourages. 

Tim continues to plan, clearly more relaxed and excited. 

When students have projects that entail multiple steps and many materials, they can feel confused and sad. Providing choice helps them to build intrinsic motivation and engagement. We want to help them develop a growth mindset, as well as mastery goals by breaking up the problem into parts and allowing different modes of learning to show their thinking.

     With hard work, I       

            can do this!

    I want to learn 

     how to make 

        this even better!

      When I am stuck, 

   I can try a different way!