First Americans STEM Design Challenge - Teach the Engineering Design Process

This engaging resource will give your students a fun STEM challenge while teaching them essential Science and Math content. It is NOT a build-a-tepee project! Each group chooses a climate card and a lifestyle card, and then must build a shelter to match both. So, they might need to build a shelter using the natural resources of a tropical climate for a nomadic lifestyle. Maybe they will draw an arid climate and a permanent lifestyle and need to build a suitable shelter. Every project will be different. The projects are graded on how well they meet the constraints and criteria, making this a true STEM project.

The resource includes everything you need to make the project work. You get:

1. a Suggested Schedule (two weeks)

2. High quality maps and photos for a Gallery Walk

3. Student materials, including The Challenge Explanation, Engineering Design posters, Note taking pages and Budget sheet

4. Climate and Lifestyle cards

5. Group materials, including The Climate Design Challenge Packet to guide the process, Climate Research Cards, Building Materials Pros and Cons and Climate Resource Lists

6. Habits of Mind Self-Assessment

7. Individual Reflection sheets to show individual learning

8. A Rubric

Everything you need is included. For pictures of this project in action, check out my blog post at MsCottonsCorner.com.

Just print and teach!

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For great resources to connect Social Studies content to this project, check out:

The First Americans - a Differentiated text about the land bridge and the First Americans

The Salmon People - Tribes of the Pacific Northwest - a Differentiated Text and Activities

For more Science fun and learning, be sure to check out:

Everything Matters Escape Room - an adventure about the three states of matter

Everything Matters Close Reading, Crossword and Word Search bundle

Planet Pangaea - a close reading about Plate Tectonics

Earthquake - a Core Content unit with non-fiction texts and vocabulary instruction

Down to Earth - a differentiated biography about Neil Armstrong

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Check out my blog at MsCotton'sCorner.com for exclusive freebies, insights and content to grow your teaching!

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Thank you for your rating and feedback. I read every one, and they help me create with my students, and yours, in mind!

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If you like this resource, be sure to follow me so you know when I upload new resources. They are always 50% off for the first 48 hours.

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Happy teaching!

Susan