Construction Site Challenge
Background: Structures are freestanding objects that have the ability to bear
weight and support themselves. The place you live, where you go to school, and the
bridges you drive and walk across are examples of structures. In order to create a
structure that is safe and accomplishes what it needs, a number of technology
professionals must share ideas and work closely with one another. This activity is a
simulation of the type of interaction that goes on between technologists and
engineers in the process of creating a structure.
Goals: You will be placed in groups of 4 and have exactly one minute to decide on
job roles. Your team will attempt to use communication strategies in order to relay
information about a structure found in the rear of the room behind the barrier. Not
all team members will be able to see the structure. Each team member will perform
their assigned task and do no additional work. The first team to complete their
structure wins.
Criteria and Constraints (Job Roles):
 Developer: the developer is the only person allowed behind the barrier.
They cannot communicate with anyone other than the engineer
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Engineer: the engineer relays communication from the developer to the site
supervisor. They are allowed in the rear of the room BUT cannot go behind
the barrier, nor are they allowed in the front of the room where construction
takes place

Site Supervisor: the site supervisor distributes materials, but cannot build.
They can only communicate with the engineer and construction technologist,
and are allowed in both areas but NOT behind the barrier in the rear of the
room

Construction Technologist: the construction technologist can only
communicate with the site supervisor and must remain in the front of the
room. They may only build with materials given to them, and cannot access
any building materials on their own

Code Enforcement: these individuals will monitor communication and make
sure there are no violations of the rules. Code enforcement can go anywhere
they wish and can provide assistance to groups who ask Yes or No questions.
This job will only be assigned by Mr. Bishop
1. List all of the ways you communicated with members of your group.
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2. Are there any other ways you could have communicated?
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3. What method of communication would be particularly effective for this challenge?
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4. What did you find most challenging about building a structure this way?
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5. Which team member played the most important role and explain why?
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