5 Late Winter STEM Challenge Activities for January and February

For ages, I’ve been meaning to create a January and February STEM Challenge bundle to bridge the gap between the Christmas season and Valentine’s Day, but the inspiration took awhile to get to the right set of five challenges. I pride myself on original, high-quality challenges, so I wasn’t going to rush it. At long, last, it’s finally here!

Winter STEM Challenges Video Preview

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 winter STEM activity below as well as teaching resources for modifications for grades 2-8. These resources aim to make your January STEM and February STEM journeys not only enjoyable but also seamlessly adaptable to the diverse needs of your students.

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

Winter STEM Activity 1: Snow Scoop

Snow Scoop– Working individually or in partners, students will design and build a snow scoop designed for maximum capacity and/or maximum efficiency. Success can be evaluated in one or both of the following ways: largest possible scoop capacity or time to clear a 1-inch path in the snow (or to clear the entire yard of snow). Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Snow Scoop blog post.

Or, grab the teaching resource here.

Winter STEM Activity 2: Frosted Forest

Frosted Forest — In partners or small groups students are challenged to design the “iciest” tree possible in the class’s Frosted Forest by building a tree with branches and attaching triangular icicles to it. Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Frosted Forest blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.

Note: If it’s out of season, feel free to call it “Triangle Tree” instead! No need to wait until the winter, just do a little re-branding!

Winter STEM Activity 3: Winter Waiter

Winter Waiter — Students work in small groups against a criteria/constraints list to build waiters’ trays designed to hold “snowy” 3D solids. They will then test their designs in winter-themed, indoor relay race! Get all the details including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Winter Waiter blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.

Winter STEM Activity 4: Groundhog Graffiti

Groundhog Graffiti– In groups, students will create groundhog shadows, searching for the perfect combinations of light source angles, distances, and even groundhog accessories to meet the specified shadow criteria & constraints. Shadows will be traced and turned into street art/graffiti. Get all the details for this February STEM challenge including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Groundhog Graffiti blog post.

Or, you can grab the teaching resource here.

Winter STEM Activity 5: Functional Furniture

Functional Furniture– Students will design and build multi-functional furniture, or furnish an entire apartment. This challenge was created as a way to celebrate Black History Month and/or Women’s History Month. The premise is inspired by Sarah E. Goode’s 1885 invention of the folding cabinet bed, one of the first African-American women to obtain a patent for her invention! Get all the details for this February STEM challenge including materials needed & a video walk-through on the Functional Furniture blog post.

Or, grab the teaching resource here.