Curricular Highlight: Engineering in the Elements

The idea for a snow fort began with a passing glimpse from a car window. What looked like a simple structure in the park sparked a bigger vision for Lower School instructor John Bell. Inspired by the fleeting environmental sculptures of Andy Goldsworthy, Bell imagined a creation meant not to last forever, but to be experienced fully by the community while it existed.

Originally, the plan was modest: for his third graders to create a single chamber large enough for one class to sit inside. But after weeks of frigid weather that had kept many Lower Schoolers indoors for recess, the opportunity to go outside finally arrived. Bell wanted Lower Schoolers to make the most of their outdoor time, so the project quickly grew into a shared goal across grade levels: build the biggest snow fort possible.

The fort became an authentic engineering challenge. Students experimented with slab sizes, discovering that pieces too small collapsed while overly cold days prevented snow from bonding. Through trial and error, they found that medium-sized slabs worked best, layering them carefully row by row. Wind sometimes impacted their progress, yet each setback was met with renewed determination as students eagerly rebuilt together.

Soon, students across K-4 were working together as a team. They formed an assembly line, each choosing roles that suited their strengths: hauling snow, shaping walls, packing joints, or scouting ideal snow conditions. Each student had a role, their pride and sense of purpose growing as the fort took shape around them.

In the end, as Bell always intended, nature had the final say. One warmer day reduced the fort to a pile of soft snow, offering a real-time lesson in how temperature changes the properties of materials, and a gentle reminder that some of the most meaningful experiences aren’t meant to last forever. But the fort’s disappearance did not diminish its impact. What remains are memories of joyful problem-solving, the kind of hands-on learning and collaboration integral to a Sanford education. The snow fort was proof that the best creations aren’t necessarily the ones that last the longest, but the ones built together.