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 in groups, students will build waiters’ trays designed to hold “snowy” 3D solids in an indoor relay race.

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource (skip ahead to 6:33 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)
  • 3 Score Card Options (editable)
  • 20 3D solid nets
  • Discussion Questions (editable; in color and B&W)

• Extension templates
  • Snowman character writing activity (editable)
  • Writing templates
  • 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:

• 3D solids or nets & glue
• Narrow cardboard strips (4 – 10)
  • Cereal & tissue boxes work well. To save yourself time, give groups a box and add direct students to cut strips of a certain size (e.g. no wider than 1 inch)
• Coffee filters
• Craft sticks (4-8)
• Straws (4-8)
• Pipe cleaners (5-10)
• Masking tape (12 – 24 in.)
• 3×5 in. index cards (5-10)
• Paperclips and/or brass brads (4-8)
• Scissors

Optional:

• Rubber bands
• Single hole punch
• Ping Pong or playground balls (if you want spheres in the challenge)
• Garbage or shopping bags (for shape storage when not in use

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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