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 & constraints list to create a ghost transporter that lifts cotton ball “ghosts” from the ground to the top of a pulley. (For younger students, the teacher will set up the pulley; for older students, the teacher will provide materials and students will include the pulley and attachment as part of their designs.)

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 Slides (Two sets: Ghosts Clipart & Grapes Clipart)
  • Criteria and Constraints List (editable)
  • Results and Design Analysis
  • Discussion Questions

• Extension templates
  • Create a Ghost/Grape Character
  • Scary by the Senses (brainstorming sensory details to revise writing)
  • Process flow map
  • Create & solve math problems based on designs

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.)

• Pulley system (dowel and ~6 ft. of rope). One per class or testing station will do.
• Medium or large binder clip (1)
• Small paper plates
• Ghosts (cotton balls or marshmallows)
  • Amount depends on total materials provided, but at least one bag per class will be needed for testing.
  • Can substitute grapes, marbles, etc. for a non-Halloween version
  • If you have the time or an aide/volunteer, draw on ghost faces with a sharpie.
• String, ribbon, or twine (2 – 3 yards)
• Scissors

Optional:

• Markers and extra rope (to make small pulleys at each student workstation)
• Tape (constrain to ~12 in.)
• Cable ties
• Pipe cleaners
• Coffee filters or foil
• Multiple sizes of binder clips
• Single hole punch
• Carabiner (alternate attachment for pulley)

This resource is also available in printable 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.