Our first graders put their engineering hats on for a fun design challenge: How can we help a little pig cross the river?

The challenge was simple, but there was no single right answer. Students had to think like engineers and design something that would help the pig get safely from one side of the river to the other without touching it with their hands.

Using materials such as paper cups, popsicle sticks, string, paper, tape, pipe cleaners, and clothespins, students imagined different possibilities and created their own designs. Along the way, they practiced the engineering design process:

Ask → Imagine → Plan → Create → Test → Improve

The most important part wasn’t creating a perfect design on the first try. Students were encouraged to try their ideas, see what worked, make changes, and try again. They had to think creatively, solve problems, and explain their thinking.

It was wonderful to see our first graders approaching the challenge with curiosity and excitement. Engineering challenges like this give students a chance to use their imaginations while developing important skills in problem-solving, collaboration, perseverance, and creative thinking.

Who knew helping a little pig cross a river could involve so much engineering?