Bored with Leprechaun Traps? Leprechaun STEM Games are Sure to Engage! ☘️ 20 Events Included

Let’s be honest, students have been making leprechaun STEM traps for St. Patrick’s Day (aka: St. Patty’s Day, St. Paddy’s Day, St. Pat’s Day) since the beginning of time. While it’s a classic for a reason, a little novelty goes a long way when we’re trying to engage students!

So why not hold your first ever Leprechaun STEM Games?! Imagine rather than trapping leprechauns, we have students pose as leprechauns training to evade capture in the first place! So much fun!

Designed to get students moving and challenge their problem-solving skills, the Leprechaun STEM Triathlon, Pentathlon or Decathlon is sure to engage & make some amazing memories students will be talking about for years to come!

🔎 Leprechaun STEM Games Overview

In this activity, students design and build a leprechaun hat they will use to compete in a series of 3, 5, or 10 events known as the Leprechaun STEM Games! The events are designed to get students moving, but also to challenge their problem-solving skills.

Students must think critically about their designs because hat features that help in one event may be a disadvantage in another. For example, a tall hat that fits snugly is an advantage in some events, while a shorter or looser hat may be better in others.

There are so many factors at play – size, volume, fit, aerodynamics, drag/lift, force & motion and more.

While students consider every angle to building the perfect leprechaun hat design, they’ll be busting their brains and having fun at the same time!

⏱ Timing

The amount of time you’ll need varies based on how many events you intend to do, but in general, an hour should be enough time for a Leprechaun Triathlon (3 events).

For a Leprechaun Pentathlon, plan on ~75 minutes.

For Leprechaun Decathlon (10 events), plan on ~90 minutes.

📝 Leprechaun STEM Games Prep

☘️ Gather simple supplies to build hats (construction paper, tape, scissors, and maybe some extras like cardboard scraps, pipe cleaners, string etc.)

☘️ Decide if you want to do 3, 5, or 10 events

☘️ Choose your events (or make all 20 available & let students choose their own Leprechaun Triathlon, Pentathlon or Decathlon!)

☘️ Print event cards, student handouts (and optional awards & extensions)

🥇Leprechaun STEM Games Events

I planned to stop creating when I got to 10 events, but I’m such a fan of choice for teachers and students! Plus, I wanted a mix on events that could be done indoors and outdoors… and then I also had to consider the availability of materials, so I kept going until I hit 20 events!