In Backpack Jack's adventure
"To the Top,"
students are given the seemingly simple challenge of building a switchback trail to the top of the mountain.
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I especially enjoy using this challenge as an introduction to STEM. The children almost always assume that this task will be easy. The materials are very basic and the task is straightforward.
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After a few minutes of building, however, the realization sets in that things are not always as they seem.
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Students soon begin asking for additional supplies (more cups or sticks) or supplies beyond those that were supplied ("Can we PLEASE have some tape?"). This opens a great opportunity for students to truly understand what you mean when you use the word "constraints."
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This challenge is also an excellent exercise in understanding the cycle of building/testing/evaluating/improving. When students begin to celebrate the success of their first design, I congratulate them and ask, "What can you do to make your trail reach even higher?" There is no "I'm done!" with STEM, and this simple challenge is a great way to develop that mindset.
Coming soon...
"On Thin Ice!"
Even an outdoor enthusiast can find himself...
A simple strip of wax paper makes a perfect frozen stream. Now students just have to build a footbridge so Jack can cross it.
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When the kids see the materials for this challenge, they are inevitably thrilled that play-dough has made the list...until they start assembling their bridges. Lo and behold, Play-dough is much better suited to playing than building!
Using a soft, pliable material to strengthen and stabilize a bridge requires a lot of thought, and a great deal of testing, evaluating, and modifying. It CAN be done, but this task is more challenging than the students expect it to be!
"Prepare for a Bear"
If you're camping overnight, and there's food at your campsite, it's important to...
Bears in the wild tend to be hungry, good at tree climbing, and clever. They're also attracted by the smell of human food. To protect Jack's food, your students need to prepare for a bear.
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There are actually several ways to hang a bear bag. This article has several kid-friendly, easy to understand diagrams showing different methods. While I don't like to show students an example of what a STEM activity "should" look like, it may be helpful for them to understand why and how a bear bag is used.
When planning this activity, I had a pulley in mind, but as usual, the kids came up with lots of alternative solutions. Try it and find out what your little campers create!
"Let's Get Cooking!"
