Plants Spring STEM Challenge Activity

Looking for a plant activity to apply learning in plant needs, parts/functions, adaptations, life cycles, cells, photosynthesis, and/or genetics & heredity? This STEM challenge / STEAM challenge is a perfectly engaging way to get the job done joyfully!

The challenge is great any time of the year, but works especially well as a spring activity! The completed designs and extension projects make beautiful displays for Back to School Night or Open House as well!

The basic premise:

Students work individually or in partners/groups against a list of criteria and constraints to create a plant that has never been seen or imagined before.

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Note: This is the printable version. If you are in a 1:1 / paperless classroom, you will want to check out the digital option for use with GOOGLE SLIDES (TM) instead.

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This resource is also available in the following discounted bundles:

⭐ Planetopia Project STEM Challenge Bundle
⭐ STEM Challenges: Year-Round Mega Bundle
⭐ The Ultimate STEM Challenge Mega Bundle

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Resource includes:

NGSS aligned standards, Grades 2 – 8

Teacher Tips

• Links to a video walk-through of the challenge & my 5-part video series on getting started with STEM challenges
• Premise & Set-up
• Materials and timing
• Modifying Criteria & Constraints to adjust challenge difficulty
• Measuring results
• Post-design extension activities list & links

Student Handouts

• Criteria and Constraints list (two editable versions in color and B&W)
• Design Analysis Handouts (editable in color and B&W in two versions: 4-page expanded room for response and 2-page condensed space version for older students)
• Discussion Questions (editable in color and B&W)

Extension templates

• Process flow map
• Create & solve math problems based on designs
• Plant writing templates
• Planetopia Plants Folder/Booklet templates (editable):
• >>>>>General Information
• >>>>>Feature Spotlight
• >>>>>Life Cycle
• >>>>>Where in the World?
• >>>>>Genetics / Heredity
• Plant Science Study Handouts (editable):
• >>>>>Plant Parts/Functions
• >>>>>Photosynthesis
• >>>>>Plant & Animal Cells
• >>>>>Plant Inquiry

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Materials you’ll need to do the activity are easily modified. You can select a subset of the materials below and/or add your own ideas. As with all challenges, the more varied the materials, the more varied the designs!

Sample/suggested materials for each student or group:

• Construction paper or card stock
• Pipe cleaners
• Cardboard scraps
• Tissue paper
• Foil
• Rubber bands
• Paperclips
• Toothpicks
• Scissors
• Single hole punch
• Glue and/or tape

Optional

• Crayola Model Magic or clay
• Sequins, beans, pasta
• Paint
• Craft sticks
• Plastic beads
• Pom poms
• Yarn
• Sand Paper
• Cotton
• Small cups
• Felt pieces
• Hot glue gun

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You may also like these products:

Related Products

⭐ Cells: A Fresh Take on Organelle Functions

⭐ Characteristics of Living Things - Cells

⭐ Create-ure STEM Challenge

⭐ Earth Day STEM Challenge: New Earth City

⭐ Photosynthesis: Modeling Activity and Guided Notes Lessons

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Video preview music credit:

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/