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!
Search Results for: science
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 […]
Spring / Easter STEM Challenge: Bean Bind
Bean Bind is a bean-sorting STEM Challenge. While it ties in perfectly with Easter, it can really be used any time of the year! Premise Working against a criteria & constraints list, students design a way to sort jelly beans from other types of beans. You can tell younger students the equipment at the bean factory […]
Spring / Easter STEM Challenge: Carrot Carriage
Carrot Carriage is a fan favorite STEM Challenge! Your students will use an unlikely set of materials to create a sweet, new ride for the Easter Bunny! (Read on for ways around the Easter connection!) Premise Working against a criteria & constraints list, students design a vehicle made primarily of carrots for the Easter […]
How I Became a STEM Challenge Fanatic
I started my career teaching 5th grade in 2000. Any classroom teacher will tell you that first year is a killer. Hanging on for dear life, I decided not to pursue a master’s degree, or in fact any hobbies or social life outside of teaching; there simply wasn’t time. Fast-forward to 2008: Since I kept coming […]
Earth Day STEM Challenge: New Earth City
Maybe Rome wasn’t built in a day, but New Earth City can be! This challenge is perfect for Earth Day, but it can really be used any time of the year. Fun fact: my master’s degree is in design-based learning, which shares many similarities with the engineering design process. This city-building challenge was my gateway […]
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