STEM Activity Ferris Wheel Challenge

Do your students need activities with many problems to solve? This challenge features engineering symmetrical sides of a wheel that will turn freely. It is challenging, but oh so fun! Your upper elementary students will love this event.

Note: This challenge is available in money-saving bundles.

• Amusement Park Bundle
• STEM Challenges for the Year Seasonal Bundle

What is the challenge?

In this challenge, students will be using craft sticks and glue to make a spinning Ferris Wheel. The wheel has two sides and students must be diligent in making the sides match in size. In addition, the two sides must be joined together and space left in the centers to add a central turning rod or axle. Add making a frame to hold the wheel aloft and you have a truly spectacular STEM challenge.

Students will use the steps of the Engineering Design Process as you follow the pages of detailed and labeled teacher directions pages.

This challenge is from my STEM by the Month collection.

What is your prep?

You will need supplies in addition to this package. This includes craft sticks, dowel sticks (3/16 to1/4 inch diameter), hot glue guns and glue, and masking tape. This challenge can be completed using only masking tape.

The package specifically includes:

• Cover
• Teacher background
• Materials and preparation page
• 8 pages of teacher directions
• Constraints list
• 3 pages of photographs
• Extra Hints page
• Student lab sheet – with sample answers
• Extra page of Ferris wheel information
• Scoring rubric
• Terms of Use page.
• All forms are provided in an editable format!

This challenge will need 1-2 class sessions (1-2 hours) to complete.

What are teachers saying?

• "The STEM students had fun creating this. The pictures were useful after they had a chance to design their own and test theirs out. We have 45 minutes and this project took two classes because they didn't want to stop building! Thanks!"
• "I used this as a STEM challenge during an after-school program. The students were very challenged, as one of the most important aspects is making the sides exactly symmetrical. This was age-appropriate, and ended up working well for kids that didn't give up!"
• "One of my best purchases this year! We finished reading the book Tuck Everlasting and I used this stem challenge as a culminating activity. They had to also write how the wheel is a metaphor for life. My 5th graders stated it was one of the favorite memories from the school year. Thank you!"

This challenge works perfectly with another summer fun challenge:

• Build a Water Slide
• Build a Roller Coaster

Or save money and grab the Amusement Park Bundle!

• Amusement Park Bundle

I also have a nonfiction reading set that will work perfectly with this challenge:

• Amusement Parks Nonfiction Reading Task Cards
• Amusement Parks Nonfiction Reading Boom Cards

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You might also like these STEM Challenges:

• Seed Dispersal Models
• Build a Bird Feeder
• Build a 3D Flower

You might also be interested in my catalog: STEM and Science Posters Catalog

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