The Flower Frenzy STEM Challenge Activity is actually four challenges in one and works well for spring, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Mother’s Day!
Premise
In Flower Frenzy, students create a bouquet of flowers with unique attributes within four mini challenges: Floating Flowers, Functional Flowers, Fluff & Flatten Flowers, and Firmly Fixed Flowers. (If alliteration is a problem, I need to join a 12-step recovery program!)
You can set this Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day STEM challenge up in groups, in centers, or with partners over a period of weeks or days.
Materials
The list of materials you’ll need is short and easily modified, making this Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day STEM activity simple to incorporate with very little need for additional prep. You’ll need:
- Colored tissue paper and/or construction paper (5+ pieces)
- Straws (5 – 10)
- Pipe cleaners (5 – 10)
- Plastic baggies (1-2)
- Tape (24 in.)
- Rubber bands (5 – 10)
- Bucket with water (to test floating flowers)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Record results & analysis handouts
Optional Materials
- Foil (1-2 small sheets)
- String/yarn
- Craft sticks (5 – 10)
- Cardboard (scrap pieces, equally distributed to groups)
- Paperclips
- Brass brads
- Small cups
Where Can I Find Out More?
As you may already be aware, I’ve found creating video walk-throughs of my STEM challenges is the best way to explain the important details: materials, set-up, tips, modifications, extensions, and more! Check out the video below to learn more about this Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day STEM challenge, Flower Frenzy. However, if you prefer to read, you’ll find the video transcribed at the end of this post.