Christmas STEM Activity - Reindeer Relay Print and Paperless Bundle

Christmas and Winter STEM Challenges are the perfect activities to engage your students in brain-busting work disguised as fun when they've got the winter crazies!

The basic premise:

Working against a criteria/constraints list, each student will design and build reindeer antlers. Students are then grouped for a reindeer relay race in which they use their antlers to transport and hand-off Christmas decorations.

• To save time, have each student build just one antler. During the relay race, they will share with their teammates so each person “running” will have two antlers to hold on their head.

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Note: This resource includes both the printable version and the paperless option for use with GOOGLE SLIDES (TM) for 1:1 / paperless classroom.

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Resource includes:

NGSS aligned standards, Grades 2 – 8

Teacher Tips

• Links to STEM Challenge How-To videos
• Materials and timing
• Criteria & Constraints (including modifications to increase difficulty for older students)
• Measuring results
• Post-design extension activities list
• Link to a video walk-through of the challenge

Handouts & Google Slides(TM) Options for Student Recording & Reflecting

• Criteria & Constraints List (editable)
• Design Analysis (editable)
• Discussion Questions (editable)

Extension templates

• Arctic/Antarctic Animal Riddle Template (editable)
• Process Flow Map
• Math Extension

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Sample/suggested materials for each student or group:

Materials you’ll need to do the activity are easily modified.

• Pipe cleaners (10 – 15 or less if building only one antler)
• Popsicle/craft sticks (10 – 15 or less if building only one antler)
• Foil
• String
• Scissors
• Tape

For each group

• Christmas decorations (10 – 15 mixed pieces per group)
  • Ornaments (plastic), tinsel, bows, ribbon, garland, etc.

Optional

– Rubber bands

– Glue gun

– Tape

– Timers/Stopwatches (for relay race)

– Cones or sidewalk chalk (for relay race markers)

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What are teachers saying about this resource?

“This was our second Stem Challenge of yours and we loved it! It was used in an SDC 3rd/4th classroom. They loved creating their antlers and the relay race. Thank you!”

“My students love when I pull STEM activities into the classroom, and I love the teambuilding aspect of it. Win win!”

“This is one of the best activities I've ever paid for here on TPT. My students LOVED LOVED LOVED this and we had great discussions about design thinking.”

"Fun, engaging, and thought-provoking! My students report this as one of their favorite activities of the year. It gave us great teamwork and critical thinking while being a lot of fun."

"My 8th graders loved doing this in class. We had extra time before break to do a few stem activities and this was their favorite one! Thanks!"