This Thanksgiving STEM / STEAM Challenge will engage your students in brain-busting work disguised as fun!

The basic premise:

Individually, or in partners/groups, students will design and build one or more tools to aid in the cultivation of corn. The tool(s) must till, dig holes, plant & cover seeds, and water the crops.

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 5:57 to see what is included in the resource):

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 Handouts
  • Criteria & Constraints List (editable)
  • Design Analysis
  • Discussion Questions

• Extension templates
  • Process flow map
  • Create & solve math problems based on designs
  • Video/website linked slides
  • 12 math problem task card slides of increasing difficulty

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:

• Popcorn kernels (30 – 50)
• Paperclips or Swedish Fish candies (to symbolize fertilizer)
• Farmland
  • plastic or foil container filled with flour, sand, or soil – or perform the challenge outdoors and have students stake off their farms
• Water (to test irrigation)
• Straws (5 – 10)
• Pipe cleaners (5 – 10)
• Popsicle/craft sticks (5 – 10)
• Foil sheet
• Plastic spoons, knives, and/or forks (2 – 4)
• Tape
• Scissors
• Ruler

Optional:

• Q-tips, toothpicks, clothespins
• String
• Binder clips
• Rubber bands, cable ties
• Small paper cups

This resource is also available in print format and as part of the Thanksgiving 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.