Looking for a fun Halloween activity that incorporates science, technology, engineering, and/or math? Halloween STEM / STEAM Challenges are collaborative, brain-busting work disguised as fun!
The basic premise:
Students work in partners or groups against a criteria & constraints list to create a ghost transporter that lifts cotton ball “ghosts” from the ground to the top of a pulley. (For younger students, the teacher will set up the pulley; for older students, the teacher will provide materials and students will include the pulley and attachment as part of their designs.)
Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource:
Note: If you are in a 1:1 classroom, you may prefer the
digital format, compatible with Google Slides ™.
Resource includes:
- NGSS aligned standards, Grades 2 – 8
- Teacher Tips:
- Links to my 5-part video series on getting started with STEM challenges
- Materials and timing
- Criteria & Constraints (including modifications to increase difficulty for older students)
- Measuring results
- Universal STEM Challenge Notes & How to Use Student Handouts
- Post-design extension activities list
- Link to a video walk-through of the challenge
- Student Handouts (Two sets: Ghosts Clipart & Grapes Clipart)
- Criteria and Constraints List (editable versions provided)
- Results and Design Analysis Handouts (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included)
- Discussion Questions
- Extension templates
- Create a Ghost/Grape Character
- Scary by the Senses (brainstorming sensory details to revise writing)
- Process flow map
- Create & solve math problems based on designs
Sample/suggested materials for each student or group:
(Materials you’ll need to do the activity are easily modified. You don’t need to provide all of the following materials. Select a subset and/or add in your own ideas.)
- Pulley system (dowel and ~6 ft. of rope). One per class or testing station will do.
- Medium or large binder clip (1)
- Small paper plates
- Ghosts (cotton balls or marshmallows)
- Amount depends on total materials provided, but at least one bag per class will be needed for testing.
- Can substitute grapes, marbles, etc. for a non-Halloween version
- If you have the time or an aide/volunteer, draw on ghost faces with a sharpie.
- String, ribbon, or twine (2 – 3 yards)
- Scissors
Optional:
- Markers and extra rope (to make small pulleys at each student workstation)
- Tape (constrain to ~12 in.)
- Cable ties
- Pipe cleaners
- Coffee filters or foil
- Multiple sizes of binder clips
- Single hole punch
- Carabiner (alternate attachment for pulley)
This resource is also available in paperless format and as part of the Halloween and the Mega STEM Challenge bundles. Click through below:
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