Ah…the boat building challenge — a total classic! I remember doing this myself in elementary school, though the grade escapes me. The thing is, I remember making my clay boat and trying to get it to hold as many pennies as possible. I do not, however, remember a whole host of worksheets throughout my school career, and that speaks to the power of using STEM challenges in your classroom. If you’re new to this world, I always say boats, bridges, and towers are a great introduction, so you’re in the right place!
Summer STEM Challenge: Amphibious Phone
Here’s a problem none of us want to have — you’ve dropped your phone into the pool, and now you’ve got to leap in after it and hope it hasn’t been fried before you can rescue it! In this challenge, students will try their hand at designing a summer-proof smartphone case. (Don’t worry, paper templates […]
End of the Year Summer STEM Challenge: Wicked-Fast Water Slide
This one is definitely an end of the year fan-favorite. Before your students head off to their summer break, give them a memory that will have them lamenting that last bell! Premise Working against a criteria & constraints list in groups, students must design a water slide built for speed, thrills, and safety, […]
End of the Year Summer STEM Challenge: Keep it Cool / Make it Melt
Are you getting the sense that your students are totally over this school year? Or maybe as the teacher you’re feeling a little checked out. What you need is a few engaging end of the year activities to get through it. Oh look, here’s one now! Premise Working against a Criteria & […]
End of the School Year STEM Challenge: Pick & Pack
My father was a master at packing the car for a road trip. It was seriously impressive. I created a 2-D version of this perennial 3-D real-life challenge as a tribute to his awesome skills! This is a perfect end of the school year activity! Premise In this 2-D simulation of a 3-D […]
End of the School Year STEM Challenge: Drippin’ Dash
You are almost there. The end of the school year is calling to you like a siren song. The problem is your students hear it too. You don’t want to waste your instructional time with “fun”, but keeping students engaged as summer approaches is no easy feat. Summer STEM challenges are the perfect answer. STEM […]
Summer STEM Challenge Events
Testing is over and as we inch closer to the end of the school year, summer is on the brain! It can be so difficult to keep kids engaged in ANYTHING, let alone meaningful and rigorous lessons/activities! You don’t want to waste instructional time, but you’re a little burned out from fighting the good fight […]
