This challenge was created as a way to celebrate Black History Month and/or Women’s History Month in science class. The premise is inspired by Sarah E. Goode’s 1885 invention of the folding cabinet bed. She was one of the first African-American women to obtain a patent for her invention!
The basic premise:
Working against a criteria/constraints list in groups, students will design and build multi-functional furniture, or furnish an entire apartment.
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 (two levels of difficulty provided; editable)
- Design Analysis
- Necessities vs. Niceties for Apartments
- Sample reference furniture /appliances measurements (in., cm, & blank/editable)
- Furniture information Slide (record details of design for presentation)
- Discussion Questions
- Extension slides
- Inventor Research Notes
- Studio Apartment Floor Plan (with clip art)
- Investor Pitch Planning
- Pitch Audience Notes Template
- Pitch Investor Checkbook
- 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:
- Card stock or index cards
- Cardboard scraps
- String (12 – 24 in.)
- Craft sticks (4-8)
- Pipe cleaners (5-10)
- Masking tape (12 – 24 in.)
- Scissors
- Ruler
Optional:
- Cereal/tissue boxes
- Construction paper
- Rubber bands
- Single hole punch
- Paperclips, binder clips, and/or brass brads
- Straws
This resource is also available in print format and as part of the Late Winter and the Mega STEM Challenge bundles. Click through below:
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