Build a Better Shade & Shelter Challenge

Pick materials to build a shelter that meets the challenge requirements. Can you block the rain, provide shade, and make it stand in the wind, all while staying within budget?

Choose your level

Requirements highlighted clearly and hints visible. Great for exploring!

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Bird Nest Shelter

Build a shelter to keep a baby bird safe from the sun and wind.

☀️Block Sun💨Stand in Wind

Budget: up to 4 coins | 2 requirements

Hint: You need materials that block sunlight and stay sturdy in the wind.

Pick Your Materials

Tap a material to add it to your shelter. Tap again to remove it. Properties shown below each card.

Budget0 / 4 coins

Reference Guide

Engineering Design Process

  • Define. What problem do you need to solve?
  • Imagine. What materials could work?
  • Plan. Which materials meet the requirements?
  • Create. Build it and test it.
  • Improve. What would you change next time?

Material Properties

  • Waterproof materials keep rain out (plastic, metal, mud).
  • Opaque materials block sunlight (bark, leaves, fabric).
  • Sturdy materials resist wind (metal, mud, glass, bark).
  • Real engineers test materials before choosing the best one.

Standards Covered

  • K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation to define a simple problem.
  • K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed.

Tips for Teachers

  • Start with Learn mode so students can see material properties clearly.
  • Ask students to predict which materials will work before testing.
  • Have students draw their shelter design first, then test it here.
  • Compare results: which material combination was cheapest and still worked?