How to Bounce Back When Your Build Doesn't Work

Learn how to turn a building project that didn't go as planned into a fun lesson in problem-solving and creativity.

1. Take a deep breath. It is normal to feel frustrated when a project fails. Take a moment to step away, drink some water, or count to ten. You cannot solve a problem well if you are feeling upset.
2. Document the situation. Take a photo of your project exactly as it is right now. If you can't take a photo, draw a picture of it in your notebook. This helps you remember exactly what happened so you can look for clues.
3. Be a detective. Look at your project and ask yourself three questions: Where did it break? Did I run out of materials? Did I miss a step? Write down your answers in your notebook.
4. Test one small change. Pick one part that you think caused the problem and try to fix just that one thing. Don't take the whole project apart yet! Testing one change at a time helps you see what actually works.