Black History Month STEM Challenge: Functional Furniture

Black History Month STEM Challenge: Functional Furniture

$3.98

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!

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.

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 3:38 to see what is included in the 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
    • Criteria & Constraints List (two levels of difficulty provided in color and black & white; editable version included)
    • Design Analysis Handouts (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included) (editable; color and black & white)
    • Necessities vs. Niceties for Apartments (editable)
    • Sample furniture /appliances measurements (in., cm, & blank — editable)
    • Furniture information sheet (record details of design for presentation)
    • Discussion Questions (editable; in color and B&W)
  • Extension templates
    • Inventor Research Notes Template (editable)
    • Studio Apartment Floor Plan
    • Investor Pitch Planning (editable)
    • Pitch Audience Notes Template (editable)
    • Pitch Investor Checkbook (editable)
    • 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 paperless format and as part of the Late Winter and the Mega STEM Challenge bundles. Click through below:

 

PRINTABLE MEGA BUNDLE

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