Looking for a fun Christmas or winter activity that incorporates science, technology, engineering, and/or math? Winter STEM / STEAM Challenges are the perfect activities because they engage your students in brain-busting work disguised as fun!

The basic premise:

Working against a criteria/constraints list individually or in partners, students will design a snow scoop to designed for maximum capacity and/or maximum efficiency. Success can be evaluated in one or both of the following ways:

– Largest possible scoop capacity

– Time to clear a 1-inch path in the snow (or to clear the entire yard of snow)

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 6:03 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 (color and black & white; editable version provided)
  • Design Analysis Handouts (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included) (editable; color and black & white)
  • Discussion Questions (editable; in color and B&W)

• Extension templates
  • Classifying Levers Notes (editable)
  • Classifying Levers Practice (with answer key)
  • Process Flow Map
  • Math Extension

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:

• ~ 12in. X 8 in. x 2 in. pan or box lid
  • 2 lb. bag of white rice or 1 bag of mini marshmallows
• Paper plate or bowl (to hold the snow from scoop designs for weighing)
• Craft sticks (3-5)
• Straws (3-5)
• Pipe cleaners (3-5)
• Masking tape (12 – 24 in.)
• 3×5 in. index card (1)
• Scissors
• Scale (if choosing the capacity challenge goal)
• Stopwatches (if choosing the time to clear snow challenge goal)

Optional:

• Binder clips
• Clothespins
• Rubber bands
• String

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

PRINTABLE MEGA BUNDLE

If you prefer to purchase on TPT, click here. 

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