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8 Post-Build Discussion Questions for STEM Challenges

by Filed Under: Uncategorized

Last week, I shared with you how vital the post-build activities are to getting all goodness from your STEM Challenges. If you’re going to devote the time, you may as well get every last drop of value, right?!  In addition to the gallery walk, present/demo, Q&A, and individual design analysis, I find the group discussion […]

Create-ure STEM Challenge

by Filed Under: Halloween, Planetopia Project, Spring

If you’re looking to apply learning in adaptations, habitats, food chains and food webs, life cycles, genetics & heredity, evolution, and/or human body systems, this STEM / STEAM challenge is a student-favorite way to get the job done joyfully!     The Basics In this STEM/STEAM Challenge students will design a “create-ure” that has never […]

Halloween Speak, Listen, Draw Activity

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I love, love, love this communication activity! It’s simple, but powerful, and adjustable to any age. In fact, when I was using this with my niece (age 4) and nephew (age 12), my brother (age 36) couldn’t help himself and asked to join in. I’m dying for everyone to try this out, so I’ve created […]

STOP Making 3 Common STEM Challenge Mistakes

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STEM Challenges can be absolute MAGIC in our classrooms when done well, but we sometimes inadvertently undermine some of the best benefits!     Teaching is tough. We’re responsible for so many things!  Just one of those is helping students develop grit to help them be successful in their adult lives. STEM Challenges can help […]

Fall STEM Challenge: Apples A-head 1:1 Paperless

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In groups, students will design and build a wearable device to balance an apple on their heads, which they will use to participate in an Apples A-head relay race.
– Students will design their headwear in groups, but each will make his/her own (to minimize any lice concerns). They can decide as a team, and based on available materials, if each member will create unique designs or replicate the team design.

This challenge is also great for any time of year, but especially in the fall when learning about apples, Johnny Appleseed, or Sir Isaac Newton!

Fall STEM Challenge: Apples A-head

by Leave a Comment

In groups, students will design and build a wearable device to balance an apple on their heads, which they will use to participate in an Apples A-head relay race.
– Students will design their headwear in groups, but each will make his/her own (to minimize any lice concerns). They can decide as a team, and based on available materials, if each member will create unique designs or replicate the team design.

This challenge is great for any time of year, but especially in the fall when learning about apples, Johnny Appleseed, or Sir Isaac Newton!

Fall STEM Challenge: Apple Ally

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In partners/groups, students will design and build an apple catcher to keep falling apples from hitting the ground.

This challenge is also great for any time of year, but especially in the fall when learning about apples, Johnny Appleseed, or Sir Isaac Newton! Plus, this is a great intro to forces and interactions and Newton’s three laws of motion, which are part of 3rd and middle school NGSS standards! (3PS2-1, MS-PS2-1, and MS-PS2-2)

Back-to-School/Fall STEM Challenge: Apples A-head

by Filed Under: Back-To-School, Fall

The fifth challenge in the Back-to-School/Fall STEM Challenge series is Apples A-head (see Challenge 1, 2, 3, 4). If you’ve found your way here outside of the back-to-school season, not to worry! These challenges work great for fall apple activities and studies of forces and motion all year long! Premise Working against a Criteria & Constraints List individually […]

Back-to-School/Fall STEM Challenge: Apple Ally

by Filed Under: Back-To-School, Fall

The fourth challenge in the Back-to-School/Fall STEM Challenge series is Apple Ally (see Challenge 1, 2, 3). If you’ve found your way here outside of the back-to-school season, not to worry! These challenges work great for fall apple activities and studies of forces and motion all year long!   Back-to-School/Fall STEM Challenge: In Apple Ally, students build an […]