Activity Setup & Prompt

• Place a tray of notched cardboard shapes at each station (mix of sizes + shapes).
• Clear the tabletop so kids have room to build “up,” not just “out.”
• Show 2–3 quick ways to connect pieces:
  • Slide one notch into another to make an “X”
  • Make a base with two wide pieces
  • Add a “bridge” piece across two supports
• Share the big idea: “We’re building abstract sculptures—no right answer. Try, adjust, rebuild.”

Skills & Learning Focus

• Engineering & Spatial Thinking: balancing, stabilizing, and building structures that stand.
• Fine Motor Control: aligning notches, gentle pressure, careful placement.
• Problem Solving & Persistence: testing connections, redesigning when it falls, trying again.
• Design & Composition: exploring height, negative space, symmetry/asymmetry, repetition.
• Creative Confidence: making choices without a “picture to copy.”
• Collaboration & Sharing: trading pieces, building together, describing what you notice.

Cleanup & Reset

• Announce: “Sculptures come down in 2 minutes—let’s take a final look first!”
• Have kids disassemble (no yanking): pull pieces apart slowly at the notches.
• Sort pieces back into the bin/trays (optional: quick “big / small” sort to reset faster).
• Stack trays neatly and clear any scraps/dust from the tables.