Looking for a fun Halloween activity that incorporates science, technology, engineering, and/or math? Halloween STEM / STEAM Challenges are collaborative, brain-busting work disguised as fun!

The basic premise:

Students work in partners or groups against a criteria and constraints list to design a device to catch as many “creatures” as possible. If you aren’t allowed to do Halloween activities, you can use this to start off a unit on spiders, food chains/webs, energy pyramids and more!

 

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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 Student Slides
  • Post-design extension activities list
  • Link to a video walk-through of the challenge

• Student Slides
  • Criteria and Constraints List (editable)
  • Results and Design Analysis
  • Discussion Questions

• Extension templates
  • Process flow map
  • Create & solve math problems based on designs
    • 12 sample word problem slides (3 sets of 4 questions at different levels)
  • Related video slides

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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.)

• Yarn, string, or twine (3 – 5 yards)
• Pipe Cleaners (4 – 6)
• Scissors
• Creatures
  • plastic bugs, bats, spiders, etc. (one set per class or per testing station will do)
• ~12 x 12 in. mat or bucket

Optional:

• Additions or substitutions for string:
  • ribbon
  • cable ties
  • shoelaces
• Coffee filters, foil, or paper (makes the challenge easier for younger students)
• Tape
• Mix-ins (if adding increased-difficulty criterion for some objects to pass through the creature catcher

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