Life-Size Mouse Trap

Type: Active
Age: Late elementary
Optimal size: 20+
Estimated cost: $1 - $25
Planning time: 5+ hours
Frequency: One-time

Learning outcomes

Late elementary, tweens and teens will be fully immersed in STEM/STEAM projects. Teen library volunteers will create simple machines and challenges throughout the library using our Maker supplies and recycled materials. Participants will catch mice in the same manner as the popular board game Mouse Trap. Teen volunteers will learn to build machines, test their machines/stations, and have to think about how kids will build and work each device to catch the cheese. Children, tweens, teens and families who participate will be engaged with the machines/stations and be taught by the teen volunteers the principles behind their machine/station.

Instructions

Have teen volunteers play the original Mouse Trap board game. Have them conceive stations (approximately 10) that use the same building principles found within the board game. Encourage them to think outside the box and incorporate Makey Makey's, Little Bits, Snap Circuits, recycled materials, tools, toys and more. Teens will need time to build and test their machines/stations, thinking about how kids will build and work each device to catch the cheese. On the day of the program, 1-hour will be needed to assemble each station. Attendees and family members will be able to come in and travel from station to station. They will be assisted by teen volunteers in completing the stations challenge and assembling their cheese wheel.

Evaluation

Teens and families will be asked for feedback and be able to fill out a Google Survey about what they learned. Teens will be asked what they learned building the machine. Attendees will be asked what they learned by using the machine to complete the challenge.