Build a Honeycomb Structure, Free Classroom Learning Activity

STANDARDS & CONNECTIONS:

NGSS.3-5-ETS1, NGSS.MS-ETS1, HS-ETS1-2

SUGGESTED MATERIALS:

Newspaper, cardboard, tape, variety of paper, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, hot glue

BACKGROUND:

The most noticeable contents of a beehive, besides the bees themselves, is the honey comb attached to the walls and interior frames of the hive. Bees construct each cell of the honeycomb to provide a home for raising young and storing honey. For raising young, the queen bee lays her eggs in each cell, the pupa is cared for by worker bees until it hatches. Honeycomb can also be used to store honey. Beekeepers collect honey by removing frames from the hives, and then extracting honey from the honeycomb before returning the frames to the hive.

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?