Engage your 5th graders with this hands-on STEM Skimmer Project that combines engineering, data analysis, and math!

In this project-based activity, students will design a skimmer, test it in three rounds, record their results, and calculate the average distance. Then, they’ll use their average to solve a custom order of operations equation to determine their final score—making it a perfect blend of creativity and computation.

This resource promotes critical thinking, data collection, and applied math in a fun, competitive way. Great for STEM days, end-of-unit math enrichment, or cross-curricular integration between math and science.

You will receive access to a Google Drive with:

• Prediction and data collection student worksheet (PDF)
• Grading rubric (100 points total: design, average launches, math score)
• Order of operations equation using average distance as x (with two types of grouping symbols)
• Teacher instructions and scoring guide
• Examples/Instructional Videos

Skills & Standards Covered:

• Scientific prediction and reasoning
• Data recording, averaging, and analysis
• Order of Operations (PEMDAS/GEMS)
• Engineering design process
• Cross-curricular math & STEM integration