While spider web designs definitely come to mind, there are many ways to catch a creature in this Halloween STEM Challenge activity! Let your students' imagination and creativity shine by leaving the challenge open-ended.
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The basic premise:
Students work in partners or groups (individually is fine too!) against a criteria and constraints list to design a device to catch as many “creatures” as possible.
If you aren't doing Halloween activities, you can also use this to start off a unit on spiders, food chains/webs, energy pyramids and more!
***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
- Task card template (editable; 12 sample questions ranging age/skill level provided as well as editable versions and blank versions for students to create their own questions)
- Task card template for answer key (note: answers are not provided as questions will be generated based on student designs.)
Suggested Materials are easily modified. You do NOT need all of these items; just use what you have available (not included):
- Yarn, string, or twine (3 – 5 yards)
- Pipe Cleaners (4 – 6)
- Scissors
- Creatures: plastic bugs, bats, spiders, etc. (one set per class or per testing station will do)
~12 x 12 in. mat or bucket
Optional:
- Additions or substitutions for string (e.g. ribbon, cable ties, shoelaces, etc.)
- Coffee filters, foil, or paper (makes the challenge easier for younger students)
- Tape
- Mix-ins (if adding increased-difficulty criterion for some objects to pass through the creature catcher)