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 tallest “tower of love” possible using Valentine’s Day cards they were probably just going to throw away anyway! (Note: for older students or those who don’t exchange cards, see materials list below and thumbnail above; alternative love-notes handout is included.)

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 4:37 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 and Constraints list in color (editable versions in color and B&W provided)
  • Student “love letter” template cut-outs, kindness log & compliment chart handouts (editable)
  • Design Analysis (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included in color and B&W; editable)
  • Discussion Questions (in color and B&W; editable)

• Extension templates
  • 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:

• Choose primary material(s) from the following:
  • 20+ Valentine’s Day cards
  • 20+ index cards
  • 4-5 Valentine’s Day card boxes
  • Copies of “love letters” on paper or card stock
• Tape (12 in.)
• Scissors
• Ruler or measuring tape

Optional:

• craft sticks
• pipe cleaners

This resource is also available in paperless format and as part of the Valentine’s Day and the Mega STEM Challenge bundles. Click through below:

PRINTABLE MEGA BUNDLE

If you prefer to purchase on TPT, click here. 

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