Independence High Schoolers Tower Above the Rest

November 23rd, 2018 /
Madison Bliss /
Independence High, News, Schools, Secondary Schools, Teaching and Learning

At Independence High School, teachers and students are committed to helping each other become L.E.A.R.N.E.R.S. These are students who…

Learn from mistakes

Evaluate work based on success criteria

Ask questions and accept challenges

Receive and respond to feedback

Never give up

Effort matters

Reach goals

State what I am learning

To aid in this cause, BYU Engineering students showed their support by engaging in a fun learning experience with all the high schoolers during their advisory period. The BYU students offered a challenge to each group to build the tallest tower, only using the limited materials provided. With balloons, tape and determination, the IHS students worked hard to prove their engineering abilities.

Once thought complete, the students watched a short video about the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington State, which-after only short four months-collapsed due to poor construction. As a result of this disaster, engineers learned to take aerodynamics into consideration while designing new structures. A discussion followed wherein students talked together about learning from mistakes of others and ourselves in order to improve and avoid any catastrophes such as the bridge featured in the video.

With this in mind, the IHS students went back to drawing board to revise their initial construction. This time around, the students thought outside of the box and used more creativity to ensure a structurally sound tower. While amidst their second production, the BYU and IHS students conversed about how to reaffirm their commitment to becoming better L.E.A.R.N.E.R.S.

Overall, the students at Independence High enjoyed this activity and learned more about learning from mistakes and working past any challenges they might encounter.