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:

Working individually or with a partner against a criteria and constraints list, students design and engineer a new set of bat wings, with the goal being to achieve maximum flight distance and/or accuracy. You can even throw in style points, if you like! It’s a paper airplane challenge with a twist!

This is great for Halloween or just connected to a unit on bats (especially if your school frowns on Halloween activities)!

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 2:29 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 ™.

 

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

• Student Handouts
  • Wingless bat body handouts (2 options provided)
  • Criteria & Constraints List (editable version provided)
  • Design Analysis Handouts (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included)
  • Discussion Questions

• Extension templates
  • Process Flow Map
  • Math Extension

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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.)

• Copies of Bat Bodies (included in resource)
• Scissors
• Tape measure

Optional:

• Tape
• Notebook paper

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This resource is also available in paperless 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.