Looking for Valentine’s Day activities that your students will love but are more than just a craft or activity to pass the time? This Valentine’s STEM Challenge (or STEAM Challenge) will keep your students engaged in brain-busting work disguised as fun!

The basic premise:

Working against a criteria/constraints list individually or in partners/groups, students will design and build the smallest container possible to house a candy assortment.

– “Confection Container” alternative: students will design and build the smallest container possible to house one or more cupcakes (keeping frosting on the cupcakes, not the box!)

– Because this can be treated as two separate challenges, two criteria/constraints lists have been provided: one for candy and another for confection (cupcake).

 

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

For the print version, click here.

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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 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
  • Process flow map
  • Create & solve math problems based on designs
  • Retail math website linked slides
  • Shipping box & delivery truck exercise/activity

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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:

• Assortment of candy (4 – 8 pieces). A variety of shapes is desired.
  • “Confection Container” Alternative: one or more cupcakes
• Cardboard/card stock (paper plates, cereal boxes, Valentine’s cards boxes, etc.)
• Craft sticks (5-10)
• Pipe cleaners (5 – 10)
• Tape (24 in.)
• Scissors
• Ruler

Optional:

• Valentine’s decorations (lace, ribbons, hearts, etc.) or construction paper, markers, and glue
• Tissue paper
• Foil
• Toothpicks
• String
• Small paper cups
• Straws (5 – 10)

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This resource is also available in print format and as part of the Valentine’s Day 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.