6th Grade Engineers Take on the Straw Tower STEAM Challenge

Recently, 6^th Grade students stepped into the role of engineers in a hands-on project that transformed lessons in science and math into an opportunity to innovate and create. 

The task was simple in concept but demanding in practice: create a structure strong enough, using only straws and tape, to support the weight of a textbook. At Sierra Canyon, projects like this reflect how STEAM—science, technology, engineering, arts, and math—is woven into everyday learning. Students worked in teams and raced against the clock to strategize, test, and adapt their designs. While some began with wide, sturdy bases to ensure stability, others pushed for height, stretching their towers skyward to see how far they could go before gravity intervened. 

With every collapse came an opportunity to rethink and refine their work—mirroring the trial-and-error process that defines real-world engineering. Along the way, students debated approaches, applied the precision of math, relied on creativity from the arts, and used scientific principles of balance and force to guide their designs.

The straw tower challenge is one of many hands-on experiences that show how Sierra Canyon makes STEAM education meaningful. By blending rigorous academics with exploration, the School empowers students to connect ideas across disciplines, build confidence in their abilities, and approach challenges with curiosity and resilience.

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