Planetopia Plants Paperless STEM Challenge

Planetopia Plants Paperless STEM Challenge

$4.98

Students work in individually or in partners or groups against a list of criteria and constraints to create a plant that has never been seen or imagined before. This challenge is part of the growing Planetopia Project series.

Teaching about plants and need the perfect activity to engage? This STEM / STEAM Challenge is perfect for applying learning in plant needs, parts/functions, adaptations, life cycles, cells, photosynthesis, and/or genetics & heredity.

This STEM Challenge is great any time of the year, but works especially well as a spring activity! The completed designs and extension projects make beautiful displays for Back to School Night or Open House as well!

The basic premise: 

Students work in individually or in partners or groups against a list of criteria and constraints to create a plant that has never been seen or imagined before. This challenge is part of the growing Planetopia Project series.

 


Note: The version you are viewing is compatible with Google Slides ™.

Click here for the printable version of this resource.


 

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)
    • Results and Design Analysis
    • Discussion Questions
  • Extension templates
    • Process flow maps
    • Create & solve math problems based on designs
    • Plant Writing Templates
    • Planetopia Plants Presentation Slides
      • General Information
      • Feature Spotlight
      • Life Cycle
      • Where in the World
      • Genetics/ Heredity
    • Plant Science Study Slides
      • Plant Parts/Functions
      • Photosynthesis
      • Plant & Animal Cell Diagrams
      • Plant & Animal Cell Compare/Contrast
      • Plant Inquiry

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.)


Benefits of this STEM Design Challenge:

  • Focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and application of learning
  • Helps students develop growth mindset traits like persistence and resilience
  • High levels of student engagement
  • The potential to hit upon all NGSS ETS standards depending on the depth and number of iterations you choose to implement in your classroom (modifications included)
  • Highly flexible and differentiated for materials, timing, grade levels, and rigor.

Each design iteration should be planned for ~60 min. if you are including data gathering and analysis rather than just building for fun. If you add extension activities, you will need to adjust timing accordingly.


This resource is available in a printable format. It is also available in a discounted Planetopia Project bundle. The Digital/Paperless Mega Bundle is also coming soon!

 

PRINTABLE VERSION

 

 

PAPERLESS BUNDLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Note: any coupon/promo codes for this site will only work on this site. TpT does not have the option for individual stores to offer promo codes.


 

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