5 Thanksgiving STEM Challenge Activities

Looking for creative ways to keep your students engaged during this hectic time of year and honor the history and cultural diversity behind the Thanksgiving holiday? These Thanksgiving-themed STEM activities will certainly add a dash of excitement to your classroom.

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude and growth, and what better way to embrace the spirit of the season than with turkey-tastic STEM challenges? From pumpkin picking to corn cultivating, these activities are designed to not only engage your students but also foster their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. There’s something special about watching your students tackle challenges and emerge as resourceful, independent thinkers that warms the heart. 🦃✨

Here’s a very quick visual of each of the 5 Thanksgiving STEM Challenge Activities in action:

If you’re a STEM Challenge enthusiast, you know any challenge can be used for any age with just a few modifications. If you’re new to the game — or just tired of doing all the heavy-lifting yourself — check out the video walk-throughs linked next to each challenge below as well as teaching resources for modifications for grades 2-8. These resources aim to make your STEM journey not only enjoyable but also seamlessly adaptable to the diverse needs of your students.

Here’s a quick description of 5 of my favorite Fall & Thanksgiving STEM activities, plus links to their video walk-throughs and teaching resources for each one:

Thanksgiving STEM Activity 1: Pumpkin Picker

Fall pumpkin STEM activity. Rows of pumpkin candies being harvested by student design with plastic spoons.

Pumpkin Picker– students design and build a pumpkin harvesting tool that clears the field in the fewest number of moves. Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Pumpkin Picker blog post.

Or, grab the teaching resource here.

Thanksgiving STEM Activity 2: Mini Mayflower/Mini Mishoon

Mini Mayflower and Mini Mishoon Thanksgiving STEM activity challenges students to design and build a boat that can either carry as much cargo as possible or sail the fastest

Mini Mayflower & Mini Mishoon — students work to design and build a boat that can either carry as much cargo as possible or sail the fastest. Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Mini Mayflower/Mini Mishoon blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.

Thanksgiving STEM Activity 3: Turkey Transporter

Turkey Transporter is a festive STEM activity for Thanksgiving challenging students to safely and swiftly transport a turkey across a specified horizontal or vertical distance

Turkey Transporter — students design and construct a way to safely transport a turkey across a specified vertical or horizontal distance. Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Turkey Transporter blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.

Thanksgiving STEM Activity 4: Protect the People

Protect The People is an engaging Thanksgiving STEM Thanksgiving STEM activity that will keep your kids engaged building Pilgrim and Wampanoag shelters to protect the people!

Protect the People– challenges students to explore the historical context of the Thanksgiving holiday by designing and building shelters that will protect the Pilgrims or the Wampanoag people from wind, rain, and snow. Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Protect the People blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.

Thanksgiving STEM Activity 5: Corn Cultivator

This Thanksgiving STEM activity challenges students to design and build one or more tools to aid in the cultivation of corn. The tool(s) must till, dig holes, plant & cover seeds, and water the crops.

Corn Cultivator — students are tasked with designing and constructing a model corn cultivator, using everyday materials, that will till, dig holes, plant seeds, and lightly irrigate. Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Corn Cultivator blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.