Build a Better World

Price
1,075 USD
Options:Complete Program (Materials + Curriculum)
In stock! Our hand-packaged kits usually ship in 1-3 weeks.
Building to Resist Natural Forces

Take engineering design to the next level with this up-close look at natural disasters. Working to better understand the elements at play in the world around them, Build a Better World has learners collaborate on structural challenges as they model earthquake stability, hurricane winds, system integrity and so much more on their quest to understand how buildings are designed to resist outside forces. Culminating in a final world-building exercise, this camp is a STEAM lava flow at its finest.

Grades: 4-6
Students:Up to 30
Contact Hours:12+

Subject Targets:

Earth Science, Engineering Design

Reusability:

  • Refill Kit Available. This product offers affordable refill kits. See the materials tab for details.
Settings & Tech Requirements

Recommended Settings:

  • Summer Camps
  • Before & After-School Programs
  • Classrooms

Tech Requirements:

  • None
Curriculum Topics

Each Activity Includes:

  • Schedule
  • Topic Background Information & Vocabulary
  • Opening & Closing Discussion
  • Optional Extension Activities
  • Materials List

Curriculum Topics:

  • The Engineering Design Process
  • Strong Shapes
  • Natural Disasters
  • Earthquakes
  • Landslides
  • Tsunamis
  • Flooding
  • Glitter-nado!
  • Ashfall Emergency
  • Winter Disasters
  • Typhoon Towers
  • Building a Better World
Professional Development

Product Orientation:

  • Half-hour free webinar orientation for purchases of $500+
  • One-hour free webinar orientation for purchases of $1000+
  • Additional training available for purchase
Materials

Complete Program Includes:

Build a Better World comes with all the supplies needed for 30 students to complete 12 one-hour activities:

  • Instructor Guide: 1
  • Printed Student Pages: 5 sets
  • Curriculum Digital Download: 1
  • BrickLAB Bricks: 650+
  • Brick Separator: 1
  • Mesh Bag (for cleaning bricks): 1
  • Large Storage Tub: 1
  • Medium Storage Tubs: 5
  • Azomite: 4 oz
  • Bag of Cotton Balls: 1
  • Bag of Lava Rock: 1
  • Bag of Mini Marshmallows: 1
  • Bag of Pea Gravel: 1
  • Bean Bags: 5
  • Binder Clips: 12
  • Bottle of Dish Soap: 1
  • Cardstock: 250 sheets
  • Clipboards: 10
  • Copy Paper: 500 Sheets
  • Craft Sticks: 100
  • Crayons (24 pack): 5
  • Cups: 10
  • Splash Block: 5
  • Flour (2 lb): 1
  • Glitter (0.1 oz): 6
  • Index Cards (100 pack): 7
  • Measuring Cups: 5
  • Modeling Clay: 2 lb
  • Paper Clips: 100
  • #2 Pencils (12 pack): 3
  • Pencil Sharpeners: 6
  • Ping Pong Balls: 20
  • Pipe Cleaners: 45
  • Pitchers: 5
  • Plastic Bottles: 10
  • Plastic Containers: 9
  • Plastic Spoons: 6
  • Plastic Stirrers (1,000 pack): 1
  • Rolls of Duct Tape: 5
  • Rolls of Masking Tape: 5
  • Rubberbands: ¼ lb bag
  • Rulers: 5
  • Scissors (5” for students): 10
  • Scissors (adult size for instructor): 1
  • Sponges: 10
  • Spray Bottles: 5
  • Straws (1,000 pack): 1
  • String (450 ft ball): 1
  • Tennis Balls: 5
  • Tissue Paper: 24 sheets
  • Toothpicks: 800
  • Vortex Connector: 1
  • Access to the Digital Resource Portal

Note: Educators will need to purchase a bag of sand and a fan separately.

Curriculum Printed & Digital Includes:

  • Instructor Guide: 1
  • Printed Student Pages: 5 sets
  • Access to the Digital Resource Portal

Refill Kit Available:

Looking to use your Build a Better World Program with the next group of natural disaster specialists? This refill kit will get them up and running in no time!

  • Azomite: 4 oz
  • Bag of Cotton Balls: 1
  • Bag of Mini Marshmallows: 1
  • Binder Clips: 12
  • Bottle of Dish Soap: 1
  • Copy Paper: 500 Sheets
  • Craft Sticks: 100
  • Cups: 10
  • Flour (2 lb): 1
  • Glitter (0.1 oz): 6
  • Index Cards (100 pack): 7
  • Modeling Clay: 2 lb
  • Paper Clips: 100
  • Pipe Cleaners: 45
  • Plastic Stirrers (1,000 pack): 1
  • Rolls of Duct Tape: 5
  • Rolls of Masking Tape: 5
  • Rubberbands: ¼ lb bag
  • Sponges: 10
  • Straws (1,000 pack): 1
  • String (450 ft ball): 1
  • Tissue Paper: 24 sheets
  • Toothpicks: 800
Standards & Alignment

Habits of Mind:

16 thinking habits developed by Art Costa and Bena Kallick to empower students to succeed in a 21st-century learning environment.

  • Thinking Flexibly
  • Creating, Imagining, Innovating
  • Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
  • Listening with Understanding and Empathy
  • Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
  • Striving for Accuracy
  • Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
  • Questioning and Posing Problems
  • Thinking Interdependently
  • Managing Impulsivity

21st Century Skills:

A set of widely-applicable abilities essential for success in the information age.

  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Initiative and Self-Direction
  • Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Productivity and Accountability

© 2019 Battelle for Kids. battelleforkids.org. All Rights Reserved. Battelle for Kids was not involved in the production of this product and does not endorse it.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

© Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

Next Generation Science Standards:*

  • 3-5-ETS1-1 Engineering Design
  • 3-5-ETS1-2 Engineering Design
  • 3-5-ETS1-3 Engineering Design
  • 4-ESS3-2 Natural Hazards
  • MS-ESS2-5 Weather and Climate

* Next Generation Science Standards and NGSS is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

About the Author

Tyler Downey

Tyler Downey joined PCS in the Spring of 2018, bringing a BA in Philosophy and MA in Education to his position as a STEM Education Specialist and Training Coordinator. Devoting himself to education for the last 20 years, Tyler has worked with students as an elementary classroom teacher, full-time gifted instructor, librarian and computer and information technology teacher, as well as leading students in
hands-on science in summer camps and after-school club settings.

Shipping Information

Payment and Return Policy

Thank you for choosing PCS Edventures! We want to make your shopping experience with us a pleasant one. The following is our general policy concerning payment, returns, product shipping, and warranties.

Payment Information

We accept Purchase Orders (POs)*, checks, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover as forms of payment. During payment processing, we will verify your billing and shipping address. Please be sure that you enter your information accurately.

*Purchase Orders are subject to review by PCS Edventures. We reserve the right to accept or reject any Purchase Order at our discretion.

Shipping

PCS Edventures does not include the cost of shipping in its product pricing. Your shipping rate will depend on your delivery location.

We ship through Federal Express or United States Postal Service. Please provide a physical address for shipping. We are unable to ship to PO Boxes.

If your order requires expedited shipping, please contact our office at sales@edventures.com or (800) 429-3110.

Tax

Sales tax is automatically applied to any transaction that will ship to the states listed below. If you are tax exempt, please contact us at sales@edventures.com or (800) 429-3110.

Idaho: Sales tax is added, unless proper documentation for your exempt status is provided. This is required by the State of Idaho.

California: Sales tax is added to all transactions. This is required by the State of California.

Washington: Sales tax is added to all transactions. This is required by the State of Washington.

Georgia: Sales tax is added, unless proper documentation for your exempt status is provided. This is required by the State of Georgia.

New Jersey: Sales tax is added, unless proper documentation for your exempt status is provided. This is required by the State of New Jersey.

United States Customers: Please provide your organization’s Tax Identification Number or tax-exempt certification form as described in IRC Section 501 (c)(3) of the Code.

Order Fulfillment

Many products are assembled and packaged after an order is received. Typical order fulfillment time is approximately 2 weeks from your order date.

The products listed on our website contain materials that may be discontinued by our vendors without notice. Lead times to receive materials from our vendors may extend significantly due to a variety of factors. A sales representative will contact you within 48 hours if your order has been impacted by these issues or any other reason.

If your order requires expedited shipping, please contact our office at sales@edventures.com or (800) 429-3110 so we can try to accommodate your request. If you need delivery outside the continental United States, please contact us for shipping costs. We do not ship to PO Boxes.

Partial Fulfillment

PCS Edventures products are designed to be ready-to-use and accessible for any educator. This often requires some components to be sourced from third-party vendors. Occasionally, this may cause delays in order fulfillment.

In such cases, orders may be partially fulfilled to meet deadlines. A PCS Edventures representative will contact you if your order is subject to partial fulfillment. After the initial shipment, any delayed components will be shipped to you as soon as possible.

Return Policy

To return a product, you must first obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization ("RMA") number from PCS Edventures. To receive an RMA number, contact PCS Edventures at (800) 429-3110 within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of your product(s). Returned items must be received by PCS Edventures within thirty (30) calendar days after issuance of the RMA number or the return right will be forfeited and the RMA number becomes null and void.

All returned items must be returned postage prepaid and insured by you, in original packaging, in "as-shipped" condition, unopened and with all parts, accessories, and written materials included.

PCS Edventures may charge a restocking fee for returned items of up to thirty percent (30%), depending on circumstances. There may also be a product damage or missing-item fee in an amount determined by PCS Edventures for any product that is damaged, or is missing the original box, contents, accessories, and/or manuals (i.e., any product not in "as-shipped" condition).

These fees will apply unless the item was defective or damaged when shipped, you received the wrong item, or the fee is prohibited by law.

If you paid by credit card, you authorize PCS Edventures to debit your credit card for the amount of any fees required by PCS Edventures pursuant to this Return Policy.

PCS Edventures Warranty Information

1. LIMITED WARRANTY. PCS guarantees our products with a 30-day limited warranty against material or workmanship defects and will accept any defective item for refund or exchange. Unused or defective merchandise may be returned within 30 days after purchase for an exchange. THIS IS THE ONLY GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY BEING OFFERED BY PCS RELATING TO THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES YOU PURCHASE OR RECEIVE FROM PCS. PCS MAKES NO OTHER, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL, REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER IN WRITING, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE COVERED BY THE LIMITED WARRANTY, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY PCS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND BY PCS. Manufacturers of non-PCS branded products may provide other warranties. Warranty claims for non-PCS branded products will be handled by their respective manufacturers.

2. Exclusivity of Remedy; Limitation of Liability. YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AND PCS' SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE LIABILITY, FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY SHALL BE YOUR RIGHT TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT SHALL PCS BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OF BUSINESS, EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, NOR SHALL THE AGGREGATE LIABILITY OF PCS, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT, PRODUCT LIABILITY, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PURCHASE OR USE OF ANY PRODUCTS EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT. ANY LEGAL ACTION AGAINST PCS FOR BREACH OF THESE TERMS OF SALE, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES, MUST BE INSTITUTED WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER DELIVERY OF GOODS.

3. Governing Law. The warranty terms are governed by the laws of the State of Idaho and the state courts of Idaho.

Build a Better World

Pricing Options:

  • Complete Program (Materials + Curriculum): 1,075.00 USD
  • Curriculum Print & Digital: 395.00 USD
  • Refill Kit: 295.00 USD

Recommended Settings:

  • Summer Camps
  • Before & After-School Programs
  • Classrooms

Tech Requirements:

  • None

Each Activity Includes:

  • Schedule
  • Topic Background Information & Vocabulary
  • Opening & Closing Discussion
  • Optional Extension Activities
  • Materials List

Curriculum Topics:

  • The Engineering Design Process
  • Strong Shapes
  • Natural Disasters
  • Earthquakes
  • Landslides
  • Tsunamis
  • Flooding
  • Glitter-nado!
  • Ashfall Emergency
  • Winter Disasters
  • Typhoon Towers
  • Building a Better World

Product Orientation:

  • Half-hour free webinar orientation for purchases of $500+
  • One-hour free webinar orientation for purchases of $1000+
  • Additional training available for purchase

Complete Program Includes:

Build a Better World comes with all the supplies needed for 30 students to complete 12 one-hour activities:

  • Instructor Guide: 1
  • Printed Student Pages: 5 sets
  • Curriculum Digital Download: 1
  • BrickLAB Bricks: 650+
  • Brick Separator: 1
  • Mesh Bag (for cleaning bricks): 1
  • Large Storage Tub: 1
  • Medium Storage Tubs: 5
  • Azomite: 4 oz
  • Bag of Cotton Balls: 1
  • Bag of Lava Rock: 1
  • Bag of Mini Marshmallows: 1
  • Bag of Pea Gravel: 1
  • Bean Bags: 5
  • Binder Clips: 12
  • Bottle of Dish Soap: 1
  • Cardstock: 250 sheets
  • Clipboards: 10
  • Copy Paper: 500 Sheets
  • Craft Sticks: 100
  • Crayons (24 pack): 5
  • Cups: 10
  • Splash Block: 5
  • Flour (2 lb): 1
  • Glitter (0.1 oz): 6
  • Index Cards (100 pack): 7
  • Measuring Cups: 5
  • Modeling Clay: 2 lb
  • Paper Clips: 100
  • #2 Pencils (12 pack): 3
  • Pencil Sharpeners: 6
  • Ping Pong Balls: 20
  • Pipe Cleaners: 45
  • Pitchers: 5
  • Plastic Bottles: 10
  • Plastic Containers: 9
  • Plastic Spoons: 6
  • Plastic Stirrers (1,000 pack): 1
  • Rolls of Duct Tape: 5
  • Rolls of Masking Tape: 5
  • Rubberbands: ¼ lb bag
  • Rulers: 5
  • Scissors (5” for students): 10
  • Scissors (adult size for instructor): 1
  • Sponges: 10
  • Spray Bottles: 5
  • Straws (1,000 pack): 1
  • String (450 ft ball): 1
  • Tennis Balls: 5
  • Tissue Paper: 24 sheets
  • Toothpicks: 800
  • Vortex Connector: 1
  • Access to the Digital Resource Portal

Note: Educators will need to purchase a bag of sand and a fan separately.

Curriculum Printed & Digital Includes:

  • Instructor Guide: 1
  • Printed Student Pages: 5 sets
  • Access to the Digital Resource Portal

Refill Kit Available:

Looking to use your Build a Better World Program with the next group of natural disaster specialists? This refill kit will get them up and running in no time!

  • Azomite: 4 oz
  • Bag of Cotton Balls: 1
  • Bag of Mini Marshmallows: 1
  • Binder Clips: 12
  • Bottle of Dish Soap: 1
  • Copy Paper: 500 Sheets
  • Craft Sticks: 100
  • Cups: 10
  • Flour (2 lb): 1
  • Glitter (0.1 oz): 6
  • Index Cards (100 pack): 7
  • Modeling Clay: 2 lb
  • Paper Clips: 100
  • Pipe Cleaners: 45
  • Plastic Stirrers (1,000 pack): 1
  • Rolls of Duct Tape: 5
  • Rolls of Masking Tape: 5
  • Rubberbands: ¼ lb bag
  • Sponges: 10
  • Straws (1,000 pack): 1
  • String (450 ft ball): 1
  • Tissue Paper: 24 sheets
  • Toothpicks: 800

Habits of Mind:

16 thinking habits developed by Art Costa and Bena Kallick to empower students to succeed in a 21st-century learning environment.

  • Thinking Flexibly
  • Creating, Imagining, Innovating
  • Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
  • Listening with Understanding and Empathy
  • Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
  • Striving for Accuracy
  • Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
  • Questioning and Posing Problems
  • Thinking Interdependently
  • Managing Impulsivity

21st Century Skills:

A set of widely-applicable abilities essential for success in the information age.

  • Creativity and Innovation
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Social and Cross-Cultural Skills
  • Initiative and Self-Direction
  • Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Productivity and Accountability

© 2019 Battelle for Kids. battelleforkids.org. All Rights Reserved. Battelle for Kids was not involved in the production of this product and does not endorse it.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

© Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

Next Generation Science Standards:*

  • 3-5-ETS1-1 Engineering Design
  • 3-5-ETS1-2 Engineering Design
  • 3-5-ETS1-3 Engineering Design
  • 4-ESS3-2 Natural Hazards
  • MS-ESS2-5 Weather and Climate

* Next Generation Science Standards and NGSS is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.

Tyler Downey

Tyler Downey joined PCS in the Spring of 2018, bringing a BA in Philosophy and MA in Education to his position as a STEM Education Specialist and Training Coordinator. Devoting himself to education for the last 20 years, Tyler has worked with students as an elementary classroom teacher, full-time gifted instructor, librarian and computer and information technology teacher, as well as leading students in
hands-on science in summer camps and after-school club settings.

Customer Reviews

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T
Teacher a.D.B.E.S.
Students Loved This Course!

The students loved this course. I had several comments from parents about how much their child loved this class. Some parents even said their students were building things and talking about their day and what was done in class.

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