Design Challenge: Create a Gingerbread Swimsuit
Second graders were challenged to create a swimsuit to keep a gingerbread man from dissolving in water. For the challenge, each group was given $10 to start with. They could use the money to buy any of the items provided. Students chose their items and wrote why they thought the items they chose would do a good job in keeping the Gingerbread man dry. After they purchased their materials, students created the swimsuit. Students used a balance scale to weigh the gingerbread man before and after putting on his swimsuit. During testing, the gingerbread man had to stay under the water for 30 seconds. Students made observations while the gingerbread man was submerged. If he did get wet, students had a chance to improve. If they had any money leftover from the original design they could buy new materials.