STEM challenges slideshow
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Transcript of STEM challenges slideshow
STEM in the Middle YearsEarthEd Centre, Ballarat
Activities that encourage science, technology, engineering and maths
learning
What is STEM?
• The acronym stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, but it is more then the sum of its parts
• Not just a collection of content areas, but a transdisciplinary approach that provides authentic contexts for modern learning
• The focus is on developing skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and effective communication
The STEM process
• Ask – Research, define the problem, what’s the brief?
• Imagine – Generate ideas, brainstorm• Plan – Choose a solution • Create – Construct and develop a prototype• Evaluate – test and troubleshoot• Improve – Refine and adjust• Communication - Results
STEM activities
• STEM activities can range from very simple, low-cost, low tech (for example, cardboard, paper or plastic straw construction) to high-tech gadgetry such as 3D printing, robotics and drones.
• You don’t need a state-of-the-art MakerSpace or expensive electronic equipment to start making!
Geodesic sphere
• A geodesic structure is strong, light and based on triangles.
• Challenge students to create a dome or sphere using just plastic straws.
Tallest structure from playing cards
• Which team can construct the tallest structure using just playing cards and no tape, glue or other fixings?
• The world record is 7.71 metres!
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgrJuW_uKgI
Spaghetti marshmallow challenge
• How tall can you make a tower from just spaghetti and marshmallows?
Paper chair for teddy
• Using only paper and tape can you build a chair that supports a stuffed toy?
Paper aeroplane
• Using an A4 page, fold a paper plane
• Decide what is the ‘best’ paper plane – is it the one that flies the furthest or the highest?
• Test and improve
Bridge Challenge
• How much weight can a bridge bear?
• What is the span length?
• There are four types of bridge – beam, arch, suspension and cantilever.
Bridge Challenge
A bridge challenge can be suitable for a variety of ages and take from 15 minutes to many days!• Icy-pole sticks and glue (from 50 to unlimited)• Straws and skewers• Spaghetti and marshmallows• Playing cards and tape• Paper and string
Shadow puppets
Ice cube challenge
• Design a container to keep an ice cube frozen for the longest time.
Car launch
• How far can you get a model car to travel without pushing it or applying external force?
• Use ramps and gravity to launch your vehicle.
• Measurement, ordering decimals, angles, forces
Marble Drop
• Design a maze for marble or table-tennis ball
• Can be attached to the wall
Rube Goldberg Machines
• Unnecessarily complex devices that achieve simple tasks, often involving domino falls, rolling balls, ramps, tubes, levers and wheels.
Create a Hologram
3D Google Glasses – Virtual Reality
Soft Circuits
Wearable Tech
• Clothing and accessories with integrated circuits
• FitBits, light-up shoes, GPS in AFL, smart watches
• Smart helmets that monitor heart-rate etc• Boxing gloves that track performance• Backpacks with inbuilt solar panels• LEDs and sensors on your fingernails
3D printing
• Useful for custom design, such as prosthetics and prototypes.
• Students can use programs such as Google SketchUp to create their designs and then 3D print them in plastic.
• “Moat Boat” is a challenge to make your rubber-band powered boat travel the longest distance.
Moat Boats
3D printed paddle boats – how far can a boat powered by a rubber band travel?
Robotics
• Kibo – early years• BeeBots and BlueBots - primary• Sphero – rolling robots• Ozobots – tiny light-sensing robots• Dash and Dot – programmable with drag-and-
drop coding
‘Sphero’ rolling robots
Drones
Can you control a drone?
Makey-Makey
Coding Resources
• https://code.org/• Hour of Code: https://code.org/learn• Unplugged:
https://code.org/curriculum/course2/1/Teacher
• Computer Science Unplugged: http://csunplugged.org/
• Scratch: https://scratch.mit.edu/