Low prep STEM activities that are highly engaging and follow the engineering design process! I've made it my mission to produce easy-to-implement and accessible challenges that have meaningful connections to STEM concepts as well as tie in with real world STEM careers.

This bundle contains ⭐ 10 STEM challenges ⭐ you can do with readily available materials (low-cost and easy to prep). These are wonderful for team-building and can be used with a wide grade range. These can be used in the classroom, in a makerspace, in an afterschool club, homeschool, or your library. I like to call these activities "10 STEM challenges you can do TODAY" because while they aren't quite NO prep, they are very LOW prep!

✅ What You'll Get ✅

10 STEM challenges, each with a description, photographs of examples, a display page stating the challenge, as well as 5 "Talk Like an Engineer" word cards with relevant vocabulary (including links to Quizlet Study Sets).

• Design a Bridge
• Design a Paper Airplane
• Design a Shelter
• Tallest Tower
• Challenging Maze
• Pompom Launcher
• Float a Boat
• Fast & Slow Sled
• What a Drag (Parachute)
• Cantilever Challenge
• BONUS: All Aboard the Gear Train

✏️ Also Included

• Graphic organizers (includes digital organizer)
• Engineering reports
• Rubric. Choose either to document each challenge, or use the provided interactive pages (2) in your science notebooks.

You can get more of an idea what these challenges are like in this blog post, which highlights three of the challenges above (though it doesn't contain all the support materials that are included in the paid file, it is a sample of the challenges above).

Already know you want more than 10 STEM challenges?

Find the set of 20 Low-Prep STEM Challenges here

What Teachers are Saying

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "SUPERB product!! The clear explanations, vocabulary and photographs make these STEM projects accessible to all children!! Thank you!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Great bundle of activities! I love that I can use among different levels! Thank you!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Thanks for these great lessons. STEM is a little intimidating for me, so the thoroughness and easy plans were awesome. Used several lessons in this pack in Summer School this year. Had mixed-ages group, K-5. Fun and engaging for all ages!!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "These were awesome! I used them at the end of the year and my kids loved them. I love the vocabulary tied in!"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Thank you for your fantastic product! I love having so many different STEM challenges at my fingertips!"

FAQs

Will I need to spend a lot of money on supplies?

You don't need a lot of expensive materials to get started! You probably have most of the supplies in your classroom already, or in your recycle bin. I have developed most of my STEM challenges to be easily modified based on the materials you have on hand. For most of the challenges, you will need basic office or craft supplies and household recyclables such as:

• tape
• paper, index cards, or card stock
• recyclables like plastic cups, paper towel rolls, and cereal boxes
• craft sticks or straws
• plastic bags
• aluminum foil
• wagon wheel pasta (for the bonus challenge)

Want to Go Deeper with Engineering?

If you are looking for a more rigorous approach to the engineering design process, please view my engineering design challenge resources (linked below).

Want to go paperless?

I have created a STEM Journal for use with ANY STEM Challenge where you can record the engineering design process without wasting paper.

Other Resources You May Find Useful

STEM Activities - 10 STEM Challenges

STEM Activities - 10 STEM Challenges (Set 2)

STEM Activities BUNDLE (20 challenges)

Engineering Design Challenges

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #1 - Design a Transport Device

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #2 - Design a Power Transmission Tower

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #3 - Design a Periscope

STEM Engineering Design Challenge #4 - Design a Cargo Ship

STEM Engineering Design Challenges #5 - Design a Fidget Spinner

STEM Project Based Learning: All Ability Playground

Disclaimer: I have done my best to keep these as safe as possible. However, please make sure that you do your own due diligence when performing any STEM challenge. Adult supervision is necessary. Please use care, caution, and your best judgement when performing any STEM challenge, engineering challenge, or science experiment. The seller disclaims all liability for any damage or injury which might arise from the use of any of these projects.