The Bone Bridge® Halloween STEM activity goes beyond Halloween. You can connect it to the skeletal system, bridges/transportation, and/or forces (specific ideas provided in the resource).
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The basic premise:
Kids work in partners or groups (individually works too!) against a list of criteria and constraints to build a bridge for length, strength, or capacity using simple materials.
This resource includes two (2) downloadable files: a print-ready PDF and an editable PowerPoint file of the student handouts. Please note these are downloadable files only. No physical items will be sent to you.
Inside the resource, you'll find:
- NGSS aligned standards, Grades 2 – 8
- Teacher Tips
- Links to a video walk-through of the challenge & my 5-part video series on getting started with STEM challenges
- Premise & Set-up
- Materials and timing
- Modifying Criteria & Constraints to adjust challenge difficulty
- Measuring results
- Post-design extension activities list & links
EDITABLE Student Handouts
- Criteria and Constraints list
- Design Analysis Handouts
two sets & two versions: 2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included for two different goals: length or length + weight held
- Discussion Questions
Extension templates
- Process flow map
- Create & solve math problems based on designs
- Bone Idioms activity template (editable)
- Bridge Idioms activity template (editable)
Suggested Materials are easily modified. You do NOT need all of these items; just use what you have available (not included):
- Cotton swabs (30 - 50)
- Pipe cleaners (5 – 10)
- Popsicle/craft sticks (5 - 10)
- Penny (to measure gap constraint)
- Scissors
- Rulers/measuring tapes (tip: pick up paper measuring tapes from Ikea)
Optional:
- Straws
- String
- Cardboard
- Tape, cable ties
- Candy pumpkins or base-ten blocks for weights (if weight/capacity criterion is used)