Frozen Fortress Winter STEM Challenge Paperless

Frozen Fortress Winter STEM Challenge Paperless

$3.98

Working against a criteria/constraints list in partners or groups, students will design and build a “snowball” fortress wall with two main criteria: greatest area (or just height or length for younger students) and ability to withstand a “snowball” attack.

Looking for a fun Christmas or winter activity that incorporates science, technology, engineering, and/or math? Winter STEM / STEAM Challenges are the perfect activities because they engage your students in brain-busting work disguised as fun!

The basic premise:

Working against a criteria/constraints list in partners or groups, students will design and build a “snowball” fortress wall with two main criteria: greatest area (or just height or length for younger students) and ability to withstand a “snowball” attack.

 


Note: This is the digital format, compatible with Google Slides ™.

For the print version, click here.


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 Slides
    • Post-design extension activities list
    • Link to a video walk-through of the challenge
  • Student Slides
    • Criteria & Constraints List (editable)
    • Design Analysis
    • Discussion Questions
  • Extension templates
    • Arctic/Antarctic Animal Adaptation Research
    • Cold Synonyms, Antonyms, Similes, & Metaphors
    • Process Flow Map
    • Math Extension

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.)

For each student or group:

  • Marshmallows: large, mini, or a mix (35 – 50)
    • Sugar cubes or blocks can be substituted for building the fortress wall, but at least one marshmallow per student will still be needed for a “snowball” attack.
  • Straws (10 – 15)
  • Popsicle/craft sticks (10 – 15)
  • Toothpicks (25 – 50)
  • Small paper plates (1 or ½ of one)
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Work mat (construction paper, foil, newspaper, etc.)

Optional:

  • Plastic knives, forks, and/or spoons
  • Pipe cleaners
  • String
  • Foil
  • Spool of wire (gardening or steel)
  • Tape

This resource is also available in print format and as part of the Christmas/Winter and the Mega STEM Challenge bundles. Click through below:

 

If you prefer to purchase on TPT, click here

Note: Any coupon codes you received for subscribing to the email are for this site and will not work on TpT.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.

You may also like…