Here's a fabulous STEM project with a focus on creating a cranking device that can lift small items. This engaging activity encourages problem-solving and engineering skills, all while keeping prep simple. The included teacher’s guide is clear, thorough, and designed to make setup a breeze. Plus, it’s been student-tested to ensure success in your classroom!

Ideas for use:

• This challenge can be used at any time of the year!
• For Halloween, we have lifted small pumpkins, black kettles full of candy corn, and even apples.
• We have also tried Easter eggs! (We use plastic eggs.)
• Try pumpkins for fall, apples in August, buckets of jelly beans for Valentine's Day, or stuffed (or chocolate) bunnies in the spring,
• You can also opt to build an elevator that is not part of a seasonal project. Just lift weight - like coins!

What is the challenge?

• Students will design and build a cranking elevator.
• They will attempt to lift items to the top of about a two-foot height.
• Students will work together to lift a fairly lightweight item and then a heavier item.
• The lifting system must use a turning handle that will wind the elevator system to the top and then release it safely to the ground- without spilling or harming the cargo.
• You can opt not to require the cranking system - if this challenge needs to be a little easier.

➡️ NOTE: This resource includes two very different ways to complete this challenge. Both versions have their own teacher's guide, constraints, lab sheets, and photos.

➡️ Version 1 -

In version 1, students use the materials to create the elevator system using a box as the elevator shaft. The cargo is only lifted the height of the box. A crank is turned to lift the cargo platform.

Materials for version 1 include Boxes, paper clips, cardboard pieces, craft sticks, objects to lift (pumpkin, apple, bucket, eggs, etc.), string, masking tape, dowel sticks, pipe cleaners, rubber bands, straws, small bucket or 3-ounce cup, and candy (optional). Many of these items are optional and substitutions may be made.

Version 1 specifically includes:

• cover
• teacher background
• materials and preparation page
• 5 pages of teacher directions
• 4 pages of photographs
• 2 extra Hints pages
• 3 versions of constraints posters with matching lab sheets
• one sample answer lab sheet
• scoring rubric
• editable forms

➡️ Version 2 -

In this version, students use the materials to create the elevator system that sits on a tabletop. The device on the table holds the turning mechanism and the cargo platform extends over the edge of the table.

Materials for version 2 include straws, pipe cleaners, card stock paper, cardboard pieces, craft sticks, dowel sticks, string, tape – 3 feet per group, cardboard tubes, and scrap box paper.

Version 2 specifically includes

• 2-page teacher's guide
• criteria cards
• lab sheet
• 2 pages of photos
• editable forms
  

Check the preview to see everything. The page count listed for this package includes everything. *In version 1 there are three sets of lab sheets- One set includes constraints and a lab sheet for an easier version, one set is for the more challenging, and the third set is generic. It will work with any object being lifted in the elevator. These are also editable.

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

What are teachers saying?

• "Thank you for this resource! It is extremely detailed and comes with all of the necessary supplemental resources, making this project extremely easy to implement with little to no prep!
• "This activity is well-designed and thought out! It is easy to prep and prepare and the items needed are mostly items that are typically already in the cabinet. Thank you for a fun, yet thought-provoking activity, for use in that hectic time of Halloween."

➡️Save money with the Halloween Bundle!

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