STEM Challenge Monday

 

Well it is Monday again and usually we try to do some type of fun STEM challenge. What do you do with 120 pennies, 50 gum drops, 100 toothpicks, and a paper plate?

 

I got the idea from my Pinterest board and a website I am now following about how to build teamwork. This challenge asked the girls to create a bridge out of the gum drops and toothpicks that could hold 300 grams of pennies which equaled to about 120 pennies. The kicker was the bridge had to be suspended over a 6 inch gorge.

 

Their creation barely help up the pennies. Not sure if it was the design of the bridge or the curvature of the chairs. Unfortunately all the desks and table in our room were on different levels, so we couldn't use them for the gap. I did explain to the girls that I thought their design needed a little more structure and height. They of course were anticipating eating the gum drops and didn't really want to recreate another bridge.

STEM Challenge Monday - Only on Tuesday

 

Each week I try to do some type of STEM challenge activity with the girls. Usually Monday is the day but occasionally for one reason or another it gets pushed back to another day. This was one of those weeks. I made the girls what until after lunch for this one.

 

For this challenge you will need a rubber band, string, and 10 plastic cups. The object of the activity is to tie the strings onto the rubber band and work as a team to move the cups into a pyramid formation. It took the girls a few tries to figure out the logistics and the best method of moving the cups.

 

Once they figured out that the rubber band needed to stay on the very tip of the bottom of the cup in order to get it back off easily while stack - they were able to build a pyramid quickly.

 

They were able to build a pyramid twice while also learning how to work together.