DESIGN BRIEF:

O, Tannenbaum!
Christmas trees have been a big part of German
holiday traditions. From wooden pyramids, to trees
hung from ceilings, to the ones we know today,
Christmas trees have looked very different throughout
Germany’s history.
Challenge: Design and build a Christmas tree
using the engineering design process.
Constraints:

o Your Christmas tree

must stand by itself.
o Use only the materials in
your “Materials Bag”.
o Represent Germany in
some way with your
design.
o Work as a team with
your group members.
 DESIGN LOG:
O, Tannenbaum!
Name: __________________________________________
Group Members:
__________________________________________
__________________________________

Step 1: What’s the problem?

The problem is that we must design and build
a Christmas tree.

List the problem’s constraints.

1. _______________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________________
 Step 2: Brainstorming time!
Sketch one possible solution for the challenge independently. List any
materials you would need to create this solution.

Idea #1: Materials

 Step 3: Time to choose!

As a group, decide on a solution to build. Draw your design below. List the
material you plan on using.

OUR FINAL DESIGN: Materials

Step 4: Get ready to build!

Gather your materials and create the solution you chose in Step 3. Use the
space below to take notes (written or drawn) about any challenges or triumphs
you had during the process. As your group finishes, use the checklist to make
sure your solution meets all the criteria.

Can our tree stand by itself?

Did we only use the material

in our bag?
Did we represent Germany in
our design?
Did we use teamwork or did
one person do most of the
work?
Step 5: Test it!
Test your solution by circling “yes” or “no”.

❖ Our Christmas tree can stand by itself.

YES NO

❖ We only used the material in our “Materials Bag”.

YES NO

❖ We represented Germany in our design by

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

____

❖ We used teamwork while planning and building.

YES NO
Step 6: Let’s think about it…
Answer the following questions. Be sure to use complete sentences.
1. What do you like most about your Christmas tree’s design?
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. If you could rebuild your Christmas tree, what changes would you make?
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
 “O Tannenbaum” Design Challenge Grading Checklist

 
Give the statement a if the criteria was met. Give the statement an if the criteria was
not met.

1. Student listed constraints (step 1) __________

2. Student completed independent sketch (step 2) __________

3. Student completed group sketch (step 3) __________

4. Student completed step 4 checklist __________

5. Student tested their design (step 5) __________

6. Student answered reflection questions (step 6) __________

7. Student built a tree that met all the constraints __________

8. One member from the group presented design __________

Grading System:

 
0-1 ’s = +
 
2-3 ’s =
 
4+ ’s = -