A R O U N D C A M P U S
Challenging Projects Develop Critical Thinking and Problem-
Solving Skills
Working together with their classmates on a specific challenge requires analysis and repeated attempts before a successful
solution is found. This is one way that essential critical thinking skills and a spirit of persistence are developed and honed
in boys.
In Second Grade, boys engaged in a project
that required them to work through the
Engineering Design Cycle to build a
cardboard structure of their choice:
a tower as tall as their (very tall!)
teachers, a vehicle mobile enough
to transport an object across
the room (on wheels along the
ground, or airborne, along a zip
line), a ball run timer consistent
enough that the ball takes exactly
5 seconds to roll from top to bottom,
or a cardboard chair sturdy enough to
support a classmate. This project put into
play boys’ natural curiosity, creativity and
love of purposeful work.