Each student needs:

• 2 copies of the Pre/Post Assessment

Each group needs:

• Day 1 Worksheet (1 worksheet per student group, or if desired, 1 per student).
• Day 2 Worksheet (1 worksheet per student group, or if desired, 1 per student).
• Day 3 Worksheet (1 worksheet per student group, or if desired, 1 per student).
• 1 wooden block without flaws
• 1 wooden block with a cylindrical center hole on the underside
• 1 wooden block with 4 cylindrical holes in “corner” locations on the underside
• several experimental wooden blocks with unknown flaws and/or flaw “locations” on the undersides
• 1 small hammer or mallet: teachers can easily purchase large sets of 20-30 claw hammers online at low cost
• 1 laptop or other digital device with a microphone
• noise-dampening materials (e.g., blankets, paper, foil, foam, cardboard)
• cardboard and twine for vibration-isolating devices
• scrap cardboard or dark paper to cover the bottom surfaces of the blocks
• tape or staples
• Python program for sound analysis (provided by the teacher)

For the entire class to share:

• reference blocks without flaws, and with known flaws in various locations
• reference recordings of blocks with and without known flaws
• 1 large-diameter Forstner bit

The lists below are suggestions of what students could use to build their designs. None of these engineering challenge materials is individually required, so you are encouraged to find whichever materials you have easy and free access to instead of purchasing design materials just for this activity.

Soft Materials for Cushioning

• cotton balls
• foam sheets or pieces
• felt sheets
• sponges
• bubble wrap
• packing peanuts

Flexible Materials for Wrapping and Binding

• rubber bands
• unfilled balloons
• twine or string
• pipe cleaners
• transparent tape
• masking tape
• duct tape
• VELCRO strips

Structural Materials for Support and Stability

• cardboard sheets or pieces
• empty plastic bins or boxes
• plastic cups
• small wooden blocks or sticks
• plastic or metal brackets

Noise-Dampening Materials

• blankets or towels
• fabric scraps
• carpet squares or samples
• cork sheets or pieces
• egg cartons

Miscellaneous Materials

• paper or plastic plates
• aluminum foil
• clothespins
• Popsicle sticks
• paper clips
• binder clips
• small foam or rubber balls

Additional Tools and Supplies

• scissors
• hot glue gun and glue sticks
• tape
• stapler and staples
• hole punch
• measuring tape or ruler