Mini Mayflower and Mini Mishoon Thanksgiving STEM Challenge

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.

Check out the video preview to see what is included in this resource
(skip ahead to 5:27 to see what is included in the resource):

Note: If you are in a 1:1 classroom, you may prefer the
digital format, compatible with Google Slides ™.

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Resource includes:

• NGSS aligned standards, Grades 2 – 8

• Teacher Tips:
  • Links to my 5-part video series on getting started with STEM challenges
  • Materials and timing
  • Criteria & Constraints (including modifications to increase difficulty for older students)
  • Measuring results
  • Universal STEM Challenge Notes & How to Use Student Handouts
  • Post-design extension activities list
  • Link to a video walk-through of the challenge

• Student Handouts
  • Criteria & Constraints List (editable; in color and B&W)
  • Design Analysis Handouts (editable; 2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included) (color and black & white)
  • Discussion Questions (editable; in color and B&W)

 

• Extension templates
  • Speak, Listen, Draw Oral Communication activity
  • Process Flow Map
  • Create Math Problems Based on Designs

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Sample/suggested materials for each student or group:

(Materials you’ll need to do the activity are easily modified. You don’t need to provide all of the following materials. Select a subset and/or add in your own ideas.)

 

At least one per class:

• Container filled with water to test the boats
  • be sure to choose a container with appropriate dimensions, or constrain students on length, width, height accordingly
• Set of uniform objects to measure capacity
  • pennies, base-ten blocks, paperclips, balance weights, bouncy balls, etc.

 

For each student or group:

• Popsicle/craft sticks, foil sheets, and/or 3×5 cards

• Tape (masking tape or packing tape perform best, constrain to 12 in. or less)

• Scissors

• Copies of data recording & analyzing handouts

 

Optional:

• For building: Clay, pipe cleaners, clay, twine, straws
• For recording data: rulers/measuring tapes, scales, stopwatches (if conducting the speed test)

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This resource is also available in paperless format and as part of the Thanksgiving and the Mega STEM Challenge bundles. Click through below:

 

Paperless Version

Print & Paperless Bundle

Print Version

Paperless Version

Print & Paperless Bundle

 

If you prefer to purchase on TPT, click here. 

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