​Intooba is a math manipulative kit that encourages creativity, math, engineering and spatial relations challenges." Buckman has two sets available for check out in the library. One set has a weekly challenge in the library and the students have been creating away!

INTOOBA STEM/STEAM MATH CONSTRUCTION PROJECT - At the Allen-Stevenson School Teams of boys developed 3-dimensional and math skills with a series of challenges to build various skeleton structures using Intooba rods and connectors with different numerical values constrained by a maximum "budget." These exercises culminated in designing and building a working crane with a pulley to extract actual goggles from the "ocean floor" of the classroom.  They applied knowledge about crane structure and function from woodshop class, and addition, subtraction and record keeping skills from math class. The materials they used were created by our own Rob McCallum. ​
Intooba Engineering Challenge:

Design a crane* that can extract goggles from the "ocean floor". The Construction cannot cost more than $200. The crane must be able to pick up the goggles from the ocean floor without tipping over. It must be free standing.

Value of each rod:
Blue = 12
Orange = 10
Yellow = 6
Purple = 5
Red = 4
Green = 3
Connectors = 3

Technical applications:
• Create a pulley system
• Crane/hoist load ratio
• Placement of fulcrum
• Compartment component
• Consider aesthetic qualities

Science concepts:
• Cause-effect
• Force
• Model
• Scale
• System
• Machine
• Friction

Process Skills
• Questioning
• Planning a sequence
• Sketching
• Hypothesizing​
• Constructing a model
• Testing
• Measuring
• Calculating
• Modifying
• Identifying main areas in the problem
• Evaluating
 
• mobile cranes, gantry cranes, loader cranes, dockside cranes, marine cranes, tower cranes, factory cranes