Build a Bud Box, Free Classroom Learning Activity

STANDARDS & CONNECTIONS:

NGSS.3-5-ETS1, NGSS.MS-ETS1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4

SUGGESTED MATERIALS:

Access to the internet, popsicle sticks, glue, cardboard

BACKGROUND:

Cattle ranchers design and use their facilities with intention and purpose so that both the cattle and the operators have a pleasant experience. A “Bud Box” is a simple system design aimed at reducing stress on cattle as they are being worked through processing facilities.The term Bud Box is named after the creator Bud Williams. A Bud Box uses cattle’s natural instincts to move the cattle throughout the pen and into a cattle chute where they are often weighed, given vaccinations, or checked to see if they are pregnant. The “box” layout has open slates, often metal corral panels, and the trained stockman are in the pens either on foot or on horseback operating a gate.

PROCESS

Identify

Share the background information with the students, then share the puzzle to be solved. Determine constraints (e.g., time alotted, space, materials provided, etc.) and divide students into small groups.

Imagine

Ask a series of questions to help students brainstorm solutions to the puzzle. Encourage students to list all ideas – don’t hold back! Before moving on, make sure each group selects a solution that fits within the contraints.

Ask: How can you can solve this puzzle? Which of your ideas can you build a prototype for given the constraints?

Design

Students diagram the prototype, identify the materials needed to build the prototype, and write out the steps to take. Students describe the expected outcomes.

Ask: What steps will you take to create your solution? What do you expect your solution to look like and be able to do?