The Mini Mayflower / Mini Mishoon Thanksgiving STEM Challenge will engage your students in brain-busting work disguised as fun as they design water transportation for the Wampanoag or Pilgrims!

The basic premise:

Working against a criteria/constraints list individually or in partners/groups, students build a boat that is designed to hold as much capacity as possible, and/or sails the fastest.

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 5:27 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 & Constraints List (editable; in color and B&W)
  • Design Analysis Handouts (editable; 2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included) (color and black & white)
  • Discussion Questions (editable; in color and B&W)

• Extension templates
  • Speak, Listen, Draw Oral Communication activity
  • Process Flow Map
  • Create 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.)

At least one per class:

• Container filled with water to test the boats
  • be sure to choose a container with appropriate dimensions, or constrain students on length, width, height accordingly
• Set of uniform objects to measure capacity
  • pennies, base-ten blocks, paperclips, balance weights, bouncy balls, etc.

For each student or group:

• Popsicle/craft sticks, foil sheets, and/or 3×5 cards

• Tape (masking tape or packing tape perform best, constrain to 12 in. or less)

• Scissors

• Copies of data recording & analyzing handouts

Optional:

• For building: Clay, pipe cleaners, clay, twine, straws
• For recording data: rulers/measuring tapes, scales, stopwatches (if conducting the speed test)

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

Printable version

Paperless version for use with Google Slides(TM)

PRINTABLE MEGA BUNDLE

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.