STEMming In School
The Engineering Design Process
House of Cards Challenge
What is the tallest structure you can build
using only one pack of playing cards?
Materials:
- One deck of cards per student group
- Flat surface
Challenge Rules:
* You must use only one deck of playing cards.
* The structure must be constructed on a flat surface.
*Your goal is to build the tallest free-standing card structure.
*You may not use any other materials to complete the challenge.
*Cards can be folded, but no tape or glue allowed. Folding cards can impact
future attempts and challenges.
Questions to discuss (see worksheet)
1. What data can you record from this challenge?
What have you learned from this challenge? (K-1)
2. If you were you allowed to use other materials to improve your structure, what
materials would improve it and how?
Blurb for parent communication:
Our STEM challenge is to create the tallest structure using only one deck of cards
per group. We will need approximately 10 decks of cards. If you are able to
donate new or gently used decks of cards, your donation will be greatly
appreciated. Thank you for supporting our recent STEM initiative.
Name ____________________
House of Cards STEM Challenge
Student Lab Sheet
Were you successful in this challenge? Why or why not?
What was the most difficult part of this challenge? Why?
What was the best idea you came up with during this challenge?
How tall was your structure? How many cards did you use?
What did you learn about construction and engineering during this challenge?
Sketch your group’s solution on the back of the sheet.
Recycling Tower Challenge
Materials:
- Shoe boxes, cans, egg cartons, cereal boxes, 2 liter bottles, etc.
- Flat surface
Challenge Rules:
* You must use only recycled materials.
* The structure must be constructed on a flat surface.
*Your goal is to build the tallest free-standing structure.
Questions to discuss (see worksheet)
1. What data can you record from this challenge?
What have you learned from this challenge? (K-1)
2. If you were you allowed to use non-recycled materials to improve your
structure, what materials would improve it and how?
Blurb for parent communication:
Our next STEM challenge is to create the tallest structure using only recycled
materials. Materials could include but are not limited to, shoe boxes, cans, egg
cartons, cereal boxes, 2 liter bottles, etc. If you are able to donate any recycled
items, your donation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting our
STEM initiative.
Name ____________________
Recycling Tower STEM Challenge
Student Lab Sheet
Were you successful in this challenge? Why or why not?
What was the most difficult part of this challenge? Why?
What was the best idea you came up with during this challenge?
How tall was your structure? How many supplies did you use?
What did you learn about construction and engineering during this challenge?
Sketch your group’s solution on the back of the sheet.
Pipe Cleaner Challenge
Materials:
- Pipe cleaners
Challenge Rules:
Using only 5 pipe cleaners, create a pipe cleaner structure or symbol that
represents something about yourself. (ex: food, game, hobby, sport, talent)
Students should share their creation.
***Grades 3 – 5 Variation: Students could collaborate to create one structure
or symbol that represents something the pairs or group has in common.
Questions to discuss (see worksheet)
1. Compare your structure to your neighbor’s. Discuss similarities and
differences.
2. Explain why you chose to create this structure/symbol.
Extension: Graph the structure by classifications (ex: food, sport, etc).
Valentine’s Day Card
Create a Valentine’s Day card that will fit inside a 10 x 12 envelope, illustrates
the holiday, contains a holiday greeting inside and has at least one pop-up part.
1. What is the challenge? (State the task in your own words.)
2. Brainstorm solutions. (Sketch or describe some possible solutions.)
3. Create the solution you think is best. (Keep notes about the problems you have
and how you solve them. You do not have to write in complete sentences.)
4. Test your solution.
Does your card illustrate the holiday?
No
Yes
Does your card have at least one pop-up part?
No
Yes
Does it have a holiday greeting written inside?
No
Yes
Will it correctly fit into a 10 x 12 inch envelope?
No
Yes
Is it neat and attractively decorated?
No
Yes
5. Evaluate your solution.
Was it the best solution? Would one of your other ideas have been better? Why
or why not?
What would you have done differently?
Can you add to it to make it better? What would you add to it?
STEM Activity to be Done Prior to
Read Across America Week
Students will use materials to design a hat for Hat Day as part of Read Across America Week.
Classes will take up voluntary collections to put in the shared resources area.
Guidelines:
- 3 dimensional hat
- At least 12 inches high
- Have a brim
- Have a Dr Seuss theme
- Must contain paper component
Classroom teacher will need to provide a space to collect extra materials beyond what is in the NFP
school supply closet. Classroom teachers will provide - glue, scissors, tape, stapler, tissue paper
(optional), paint (optional), sentence strips.
Higher Level Questions for Teachers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the circumference of your head?
How could you create a hat that is one size fits all? What materials would you use?
Compare and contrast two hats.
What modifications would you have to make to your hat so it’s weather-proof?
Blurb to copy and paste in parent communication:
Our next STEM challenge is to create a hat with the following constraints:
-
3 dimensional hat
At least 12 inches high
Have a brim
Have a Dr Seuss theme
Must contain paper component
We will need resources to allow the students to be creative. Please send any resources that you are
able to donate such as felt, wall paper samples, cardstock, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, sequins, buttons,
paper towel or toilet paper rolls, duct tape, grocery bags, etc. Thank you for supporting our recent STEM
initiative.
Marshmallow Catapult Challenge
What catapult can you build that will launch a large marshmallow the
farthest distance?
Materials:
- wooden paint stick
- cylinder shape (ex: glue stick, paper towel roll, empty prescription bottle, water
bottle, coffee can, canned vegetables, markers, etc)
- rubber bands
- large marshmallows
- tape measure
Challenge Rules:
* Each student group needs to build the catapult using the materials listed above.
* Students can place the empty cylinder shape anywhere on the paint stick. (They
may need to test several locations.)
* Provide a flat surface for the construction.
*You may not use any other materials to complete the challenge.
* There are many different ways to complete this challenge. Be creative!
Questions to discuss (see worksheet)
1. What data can you record from this challenge?
What have you learned from this challenge? (K-1)
2. If you were you allowed to use other materials to improve your structure, what
materials would improve it and how?
Blurb for parent communication:
Our next STEM challenge is to create a group marshmallow catapult structure
using only materials provided. We will need marshmallows and recyclable
cylinder shaped items (ex: glue sticks, paper towel roll, empty prescription bottle,
water bottle, coffee can, vegetable can, markers, etc. If you are able to donate
any of these items, your donation will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for
supporting our recent STEM initiative.
Name ____________________
Cylinder Material Used
Distance Launched
Launch #1
Launch #2
Launch #3
Marshmallow Catapult STEM Challenge
Student Lab Sheet
Were you successful in this challenge? Why or why not?
What was the most difficult part of this challenge? Why?
What was the best idea you came up with during this challenge?
How far were you able to launch your marshmallow using the catapult? What were some
of the distances of your group?
What did you learn about construction and engineering during this challenge?
Sketch your group’s solution on the back of the sheet.