The Mini Mayflower / Mini Mishoon Thanksgiving STEM Challenge will engage your students in brain-busting work disguised as fun as they design water transportation for the Wampanoag or Pilgrims!
The basic premise:
Working against a criteria/constraints list individually or in partners/groups, students build a boat that is designed to hold as much capacity as possible, and/or sails the fastest.
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
Student Handouts
- Pilgrim and Wampanoag cut-outs for shelter-building (in color and B&W)
- Criteria and Constraints list (EDITABLE)
- Design Analysis Handouts (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included) (in color and black & white) (EDITABLE)
- Discussion Questions (EDITABLE)
Extension templates
- Process Flow Map
- Create Math Problems Based on Designs
- Physical Properties of Building Materials Handouts (“wide-rule” and “college rule” versions; editable)
Suggested Materials are easily modified. You do NOT need all of these items; just use what you have available (not included/digital download only):
Popsicle/craft sticks (30 – 50)
- Pipe cleaners (5 – 10)
- Masking or packing tape (24 – 36 in.)
- Foil
- Cardboard / paper plates / small cups
- Scissors
- Ruler (to measure shelter dimensions)
- Spray bottle, eye dropper (to simulate rain)
- Bottled Water (to simulate snow weight)
- Small fan (to simulate wind; alternatively, you can blow through a straw)
Optional ideas:
– Straws
– Coffee filters
– String
– Cable ties