STEM Tower Challenge with a Freebie

I am a little behind in my blogging!  I am teaching my dream job this year, fifth grade engineering.  They have a STEAM special block and have one semester of engineering. I will service about 400 students this year!!!  I have been so busy planning/implementing a new curriculum, running a maker-space club, participating in school council and co-chairing our elementary science committee.  

My first module was called Engineering 101.  It was an introduction to engineering, technology and structures.  Our first challenge was to construct the tallest tower with a specific list of materials.  You can adapt the materials for your grade level and what you have available.  

The Challenge

Click the link to get a free copy of the challenge: Tower Challenge

I set up the materials on the counter and had students collect on foam trays.  I bought the trays at my Dollar Store.  Students are now bringing them in for our recycle center.

Here is a great literature connection, Iggy Peck Architect.  I love this series!!!!

The tallest tower was over five feet!!!!

Keeping Organized

I have five homerooms and assigned each homeroom a color.  I keep their sheets in folders(Amazon).

I got the trays from a grant on Donor's Choose.  They are from Lakeshore Learning.  Oriental Trading has a set with more colors.  I added a set of gray trays(Amazon) for my fifth class.  When we are building they store their items/materials on their class color trays.  I have 4 trays for each homeroom.

Craft Trays