Teddy Bears on a Zip Wire

What happens when you combine a teddy bear, a mountain and a handful of everyday materials? In Year 1, you get an exciting engineering challenge filled with creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.

One of the highlights of the week in Year 1 is the Weekly Challenge, where learners are encouraged to think creatively and collaborate with one another. This week’s mission was to build a zip wire capable of safely transporting a teddy bear down a mountain.

Armed with simple materials including string, tape, pipe cleaners, paper clips and scissors, children worked in pairs to design, build and test their ideas. As they experimented with different approaches, they quickly discovered that successful engineering often involves a few setbacks along the way. Some zip wires travelled too slowly, some got stuck halfway, and others needed redesigning to help their furry passenger reach the bottom safely.

For Year 1 Assistant Leader Vicky Paxman, the value of the challenge extends far beyond its playful nature. “Our Weekly Challenges encourage children to explore ideas, take risks and learn from the process,” she explained, “It is wonderful to see them working together, solving problems and persevering when things do not go to plan. The excitement when they finally find a solution is always a joy to watch.”

While the zip wires provided plenty of fun, they also offered meaningful opportunities for learning. Throughout the activity, children shared ideas, listened to different perspectives and adapted their designs based on what they observed. In doing so, they learned that mistakes are not something to avoid, but an important part of the learning process.

These hands-on experiences help nurture the confidence, resilience and curiosity that are essential for lifelong learning. Whether designing a zip wire, tackling a new challenge or exploring an unfamiliar idea, our learners are developing the skills and mindset to approach the world with determination and creativity.