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You are here: Home / Holidays / Thanksgiving STEM Challenge Activities

Thanksgiving STEM Challenge Activities

November 6, 2015 by feelgoodteaching Filed Under: Holidays, Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so it’s time to give thanks for holiday STEM challenges!

This month, I have a new set of five challenges in store that follow the common needs the people have to meet to survive. These challenges comprise the Thanksgiving STEM Challenge Bundle.

I’ll include the following on this blog post:

  • Links to the resources on Teachers Pay Teachers
  • Video Overview of the 5 Thanksgiving STEM Challenges
  • A pandemic makeover video of the entire set of challenges
  • An overview and video walk-through for each individual Thanksgiving STEM Challenge Activity

SEE THE RESOURCES ON TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS

Video Preview

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the Pumpkin Picker and Corn Cultivator challenges could be interchanged, the recommended order is based on the following story line: 

– Water Transportation (Mini Mayflower / Mini Mishoon)

– Build Shelter for Pilgrims and/or the Wampanoag (Protect the People)

– With shelter secure, it’s time to gather food (Pumpkin Picker)

– Better to plan for food with agriculture (Corn Cultivator)

– With food & shelter in place, there is time for fun (Turkey Transporter)

 

 

A brief description of each challenge is available below; each challenge title is clickable and leads to its own post where you’ll find a video walk through explaining the challenge in more detail.

 

 

The basic premise:

Students work in partners or groups against criteria & constraints lists to design and build Thanksgiving-themed devices. Modification suggestions are included in the resources and the video walk-throughs to make these challenges engaging and productive for students in grades 2 – 8.

 

Materials

Materials for all challenges were found at the Dollar Tree except a large box of craft sticks (Michael’s) and a bag of candy pumpkins (CVS).I recommend one challenge per day or week leading up to Thanksgiving, or even all challenges in one day-long pentathlon!  STEM challenges are always most beneficial when done in multiple iterations, but they can be treated as one-off activities as well.

 

Check out a few modifications for 2020:

 

 

 

Thanksgiving STEM Challenge 1:  Mini Mayflower / Mini Mishoon

 
Premise: Individually or in partners/groups, students design a boat for capacity and/or speed.
 
Click the title above or watch the video walk-through below for all the details.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Thanksgiving STEM Challenge 2:  Protect the People

Premise: Individually or in partners/groups, students design a shelter to protect Pilgrims and/or Wampanoag people from wind, rain, and snow.
 
Click the title above or watch the video walk-through below for all the details.
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Thanksgiving STEM Challenge 3:  Pumpkin Picker

 
Premise: Individually or in partners/groups, students design a device to harvest pumpkins.
 
Click the title above or watch the video walk-through below for all the details.
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

Thanksgiving STEM Challenge 4:  Corn Cultivator

 
Premise: Individually or in partners/groups, students design one or more tools to cultivate corn (till, dig, plant, irrigate).
 
Click the title above or watch the video walk-through below for all the details.
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Thanksgiving STEM Challenge 5:  Turkey Transporter

Premise: Individually or in partners/groups, students design a device to transport a turkey.

Click the title above or watch the video walk-through below for all the details.

 

 

 
 
 

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Resources

 

 

Print Version on TpT

Print Version on STEM Challenge Shop Site

Paperless version for use with Google Slides(TM) on TpT

Paperless version for use with Google Slides(TM) in my STEM Challenge Shop Site

 

 ___________________________________

 

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  • Comments

    1. 1

      Deann Marin says

      November 8, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      I just love this idea.Such a great way for children to learn outside of the box and so very interesting. Thanks so much for sharing.

    2. 2

      Kathie @Tried and True Teaching Tools says

      November 8, 2015 at 11:01 pm

      Kerry, these activities look like so much fun!! There's nothing like STEAM problems to get kids excited!! You just reminded me about coming to my class!! 🙂

      • 3

        feelgoodteaching says

        November 9, 2015 at 1:53 am

        Kathie – let's set something up! We could do one of these Thanksgiving STEM challenges. Nov. 13 or 17 could work for me. I'm moving out of state soon, so time is of the essence. Write me! 🙂

    3. 4

      Tamaralynn @tarheelstateteacher says

      November 9, 2015 at 12:22 am

      These STEM challenges are so smart! I love how you tied Social Studies/history content with hands-on STEM activities!

      • 5

        feelgoodteaching says

        November 9, 2015 at 1:54 am

        Thanks! Made my day! 🙂

    4. 6

      Retta says

      November 9, 2015 at 1:52 am

      What great Thanksgiving Stations these would make! I love STEM! Thanks for sharing!

    5. 7

      Teaching Ideas For Those Who Love Teaching says

      November 9, 2015 at 2:09 am

      I LOVE these Stem activities for the month of November! I am definitely going to have to incorporate at least one of them. Thank you for sharing.

    6. 8

      Marcy Howe says

      November 10, 2015 at 5:02 am

      Fun ideas! I appreciate that your photos really help me understand the activity. Thank you.

    7. 9

      Carrberry Creations says

      November 10, 2015 at 7:08 pm

      These activities look so much fun. I think I may even have my kiddos try some out on Thanksgiving while the turkey is cooking. 🙂 thanks for sharing!

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