5 kids with technology on grassy lawn
Grade 3

Makedo Cardboard Construction

Innovative Designer

Overview​

All you need is repurposed cardboard and the handy tools from Makedo and students can construct anything. The Makedo tool kit is composed of a safe saw, screwdriver and special screws for the cardboard. 

With a 3D printer, angle brankets and hinges can be easily printed. The sky is the limit to create objects to support the curriculum. 

For the students to fully get a grasp of using the Makedo tool kit, the teacher will want to spend several class periods with them creating and constructing things. The time will be spend instructing, constructing, reassessing the design and trying again until the design works. 

Students will:

  • Be able to work collaboratively together
  • Be able to create objects using cardboard and the Makedo tools. 

Vocabulary Words:

  1. Makedo kit: A makedo kit is a commercial kit comprised of a safe saw, screwdriver and special screws. 
  2. Construct: To construct is to build something. 

To prepare for this lesson:

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

  1. Introduce the Makedo kit to the students. 
  2. Demonstrate how to use the tools safely. 
  3. Share some of the projects on different websites with the students. 
  4. Let the students explore and play first and come up with their own creations.
  5. Remove the screws when done so they can be used again. 
  6. Assign a curriculum topic to the students from one of the ideas on the Makedo site or come up with your own. 

Optional Activity:

  • Let the students come up with their own Makedo projects. 
    • Give a time limit. 
    • Have the students do research. 
    • Have the students work together in groups to create the project. 
    • The projects could be around a certain topic such as creating a building, creating something that moves, creating something that is attached to something else. 

Different options for assessing the students:

  • Observations
  • Check for understanding

MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Innovative Designer
4a. Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.|
4b. Students select and use digital tools to plan and manage a design process that considers design constraints and calculated risks.
4c. Students develop, test and refine prototypes as part of a cyclical design process.
4d. Students exhibit a tolerance for ambiguity, perseverance and the capacity to work with open-ended problems.

Device: PC, Chromebook, Mac, iPad

Browser: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, ALL

Apps. Extensions, Add-ons

Websites:
Instructables

Dan Chan Saw

Makedo Kit

Makedo Makers

Makedo Cardboard Challenges

Makedo Hub

CONTENT AREA RESOURCES

  • The students will do research for their project. 

  • The students will write a short story about their creation. 

The students will use their imagination to create the project. 

The students can use measuring tapes and rulers while building their projects. 

The students will be using basic engineering skills during the creation of the projects. 

  • The students can do research about the history of different architectural structures throughout the world. 

  • The students can do research about the different dwellings that people live in around the world. 

Report a bad link, inappropriate content or out-of-date content. 

Credits
This task card was created by Andy Mann, REMC Director, Muskegon Area ISD and Melissa White, 21Things Project Manager. Updated October 2023.


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