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Robot Obstacle Course Fun Park
An obstacle course (or Fun Park) for Robots? Why not!!?? We’ve done this challenge a few different ways: Using Edison Robots ONLY Using Meeperbot Robots ONLY Using a Variety of Robots all at Once Moving forward, we will do this…


Haul It! Challenge
This is an integrated challenge — which asks student to utlize tools to engineer a cart that rolls and transports a stuffed animal (powered by a robot). It’s a one day challenge, packed with a lot of different skills: make…


Show Me the Way! (Robot Coding)
Students begin programming robots in grade 4K. We use block based programming for grades 1st-5th and push button/color tiles/path drawing programming in grades 4K-Kindergarten. The first year we did this, I had grade levels assigned to the following robots: 4K:…


Storybook STEAM/STEM Challenges
This is a yearly challenge. Each grade level works on a STEAM challenge, after reading a book! 4K: The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 5K: The Three Bears 1st: The Three Pigs 2nd: Muncha, Muncha, Muncha 3rd:…


Glow Week in STEAM/STEM
Grab yourself a few black lights and black light reactive materials and you have yourself a GLOW Week in STEAM! You’d be surprised what in your room already glows under black lights. I did purchase a few things and have…


Hot Wheels Speedometry Challenges
I purchased one of the Speedometry STEM Kits from Hot Wheels off of eBay, after realizing that Hot Wheels was no longer offering their grant program for them. It came with a lot of vehicles and several key accessories we…


K’Nex Grade Level STEAM/STEM Challenges
Our shipment FINALLY arrived — three years in the making — these kits were hard to find and purchase in bulk at the price we desired! K’Nex kits come with a direction booklet, similar to how LEGO kits come with…


Physics Grade Level STEAM/STEM Challenges
The majority of our challenges have a heavy focus on engineering, with science, art, and technology support. The Physics Grade Level Challenges, though, spotlight science. I’ve had good responses from grade level teachers. We’ve worked with these challenges for every…


LEGO Robotics in Elementary STEAM/STEM
We utilize two LEGO kits for elementary students: LEGO WeDO 2.0 LEGO Education SPIKE Essential Students in grades 4K-5 work through a LEGO challenge. 4K uses just bricks, while Kindergarten – 5th grade use the robotics kits. Each grade level…


Circuitry in Elementary STEAM/STEM
Circuitry standards don’t {officially} start until fourth grade, but that doesn’t stop us from exploring and applying what we’ve learned about circuitry into our projects in grades K-5. We work with a variety of circuits: littleBits Circuit Cubes Makey Makey…


BattleBOTS
Every three years we bring out the bots for a round or two of BattleBOTS. Students select a bot to work with, outfit it with tools capable of popping balloons, and then engage in battle. Creativity, critical thinking, communication, and…


Board Games Challenge
I’m so glad we did this challenge — it was a lot of fun. Each grade level, 4K-5 participates. We feature the board games during Family STEAM Night and invite attendees to try them out! There are a few steps…


October STEM/STEAM Challenges
Apples, pumpkins, and gourds – OH MY! Each grade level works through a different challenge. 4K: Apple Containers & Pumpkin Towers K: Pumpkin Fences 1: Pulling Machines 2: Pedastals 3: Cantilevers 4: Fashion Hats 5: Wrecking Balls View or download…


3D Printing
Students in grades K-5 work with 3D printing. Each grade level works through a challenge. K: Magnets 1: Composed Shapes 2: Backpack Tags 3: Trinket Toys 4: Bubble Wands 5: Boats Project complexity for each grade level builds, so students…


Hexbug Mazes
These little Hexbugs are a neat addition to any STEAM/STEM program! We create mazes for them using scrap wood and pvc pipes. Teams also utilize chipboard, cardboard tubes, and tape. Click the download arrow below to access the Hex Bug…


Tools & Attachments Challenge
After purchasing way too many hot glue gun sticks last year, I was beginning to think my students thought hot glue guns were the answer to all their attachment needs. In an effort to equip my students with strategies and…


Desert Island Challenge
This is challenge presents six different scenarios to students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Each grade level is tasked with a challenge to help someone stranded on a desert island. By the time my kindergarteners have moved on to…


Golf Course Holes
Researching, brainstorming, planning, and creating golf course holes is the focus of this challenge. Students worked collaboratively as a team to develop one golf course hole, while meeting a list of criteria and constraints. Click the download arrow below to…


Ozobots Parade
Using Ozobot robots, students in Kindergarten – 5th grades add embellishments to their bots and create a segment of the parade route using markers to code. Click the download arrow below to access Ozobot Parade Challenge files: Slide Deck SMARTboard…


STEAM Room Storage
With over 400 students visiting our STEAM room every week, it’s important to have a variety of recyclables and materials on hand for engineer design process challenges. Students love shopping for the “just right” pieces that will help to bring…
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