Rooftop Pool Paradise

You have been hired by Uptown Construction to design and create a new apartment building that will be located just outside of Uptown Charlotte. They would like you to submit a design and prototype of your idea for this new apartment building. Due to its location, there will not be room to place a pool on the ground. The pool must go on the roof! Your prototype must be at least 18’’ in height. Remember to think about creating a safe structure, a layout on the rooftop floor which would make sense to its residents, as well as making it aesthetically pleasing to those who live in the building.

Materials: craft sticks, straws, assorted scrap cardboard, foam sheets, bubble wrap sheet, scrap bin item, zip baggie, cups, bowls, assorted wood scraps, tape, cup of water (for the “pool”)

Tools: scissors

Measurement of success: No leaking of pool, structure does not collapse

ASK: What is the problem you are trying to address? What are the constraints? What information do you need in order to solve the problem?

IMAGINE: What ideas do you have for creating your rooftop pool? What is your best idea?

PLAN: Diagram your design ideas. How are you using your materials?

CREATE & TEST: Create your rooftop pool and test your design. Was it successful? Why or why not? What worked with your team’s design? What could you do to make the rooftop pool better?

IMPROVE & TEST: Did the improvements you made make your design better or worse?

Looking for more engineering activities to do at home? Check out our list of ECC-at home curriculum HERE!