Design a Portable Emergency Shelter

20–25 minutes

• Students build their first shelter prototype using Clixo.

Prompt groups to pause and test their design:

• Does it stay upright?
• Can it flex without collapsing?
• Is there enough space for a person or supplies?

• Allow time for revision and improvement based on testing.
• Teachers circulate, asking guiding questions rather than giving solutions.

10–13 minutes

• Each group presents their shelter to the class or a partner group.

Students explain:

• How their shelter works
• Which constraints were hardest to meet
• What they changed after testing

Facilitate a brief reflection discussion or written response:

• What would you improve if you had more time?
• How could this design be adapted for different environments?

Math Extension

Calculate approximate area or perimeter of the shelter’s base.

Engineering Extension

Add a new constraint (wind resistance, limited pieces, faster assembly).

ELA Extension

Write a short proposal explaining why this shelter design should be selected for real-world use.

Technology Extension (ISTE)

Photograph or video the build process and annotate design decisions.

• Encourage iteration — remind students that redesign is part of the process.
• Avoid “right answers”; focus on reasoning and justification.
• This activity works well in libraries and makerspaces with flexible seating.