I absolutely love the work of this teacher!  Sue Cahalane has an amazing blog called "Science for Kids" and if you haven't checked it out yet, you should!  Click here for the link to this wonderful science blog.  She just created a packet based on the Engineering Design Process and it is super easy to understand and use!  The primary teachers at my school love it and it would be a huge help to anyone starting out (or anywhere in) the STEM process!

Here is the link to this fantastic freebie!  Check out her store, it is full of great science resources specifically designed for K-4 kids!

Enjoy!

I have to say that I was totally surprised at how challenging this STEM challenge really is since it seems so simple!  Here is the challenge question:

Can your team build a puzzle without speaking and without seeing the picture on the box in the fastest time?

The fastest team completed the challenge in just over 15 minutes and the slowest team completed it in just over 24 minutes.   They all felt as if they had accomplished a huge task and they worked together to do it! Yeah!  We used 100 piece puzzles from the Dollar Tree that were all Spongebob themed!  The students did not get to see the box at all, but since they were familiar with the topic it helped a little.  

Want to try this challenge with your kiddos?  Here is the link to the STEM Challenge.

I wonder how fast your kids could accomplish this challenge?

Our school is really trying to get into the STEM way of thinking in all areas.   We will be sending home monthly STEM Home Challenges starting this month (September).  The idea is that students can take an easy to find item (pencil, cardboard paper towel roll, paper plate, etc.) and they create something (anything) out of it!  The students can use any additional materials as well!  We are planning to display these creations in the display case near our front office area.  Looking for something STEM to send home to your students, just click on this link to go to the packet!

Here is a peek at one of the Home Challenges!

Wouldn't you love to see what your kids could come up with each month?  As an incentive, we are giving every kid who participates a STEM-inspired pencil!  You can order personalized pencils from Oriental Trading Company for a great price!

Our first set of pencils say:  Look Out!  Future Engineer
Click here for the link to the pencils!  There are many different quantities available!

Do you have any other ideas to connect home and school with STEM projects?  We would love to hear about them in the comments!