Thanksgiving STEM Activity - Corn Cultivator
Kerry Tracy Feel-Good Teaching- Zip
Kerry Tracy Feel-Good TeachingAlso included in
- These Thanksgiving STEM activities will keep your students engaged right up until the break as they design and build devices to help the Wampanoag and/or Pilgrims meet their needs for transportation, shelter, food, and more. Modification suggestions are included to make these challenges engaging and$9.98$19.90Save $9.92
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- This Thanksgiving STEM / STEAM Challenge is collaborative, brain-busting work disguised as fun!The basic premise:Individually, or in partners/groups, students will design and build one or more tools to aid in the cultivation of corn. The tool(s) must till, dig holes, plant & cover seeds, and wat$5.98$7.96Save $1.98
Description
This Thanksgiving STEM Challenge activity will keep your kids engaged this fall!
The basic premise:
Individually, or in partners/groups, students will design and build one or more tools to aid in the cultivation of corn. The tool(s) must till, dig holes, plant & cover seeds, and water the crops.
This challenge is a wonderful complement to your lessons on life cycles, farming & agriculture, natural resources, plants and more.
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Note: This is the printable version, though you can upload the editable student handouts to Google Slides™. However, if you are in a 1:1 / paperless classroom, you may prefer the digital option designed specifically for use with GOOGLE SLIDES™ instead
If you have questions about which version is right for you, please feel free to leave me a question using the product Q&A below.
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Resource includes:
NGSS aligned standards, Grades 2 – 8
Teacher Tips
- Links to my STEM Challenge PD video series
- Materials and timing
- Criteria & Constraints (including modifications to increase difficulty for older students)
- Measuring results
- Universal STEM Challenge Notes & How to Use Student Handouts Post-design extension activities list
- Link to a video walk-through of the challenge
EDITABLE Student Handouts
- Criteria & Constraints List (in color and black & white)
- Design Analysis Handouts (2-page regular spacing and 4-page expanded spacing for primary students included) (in color and black & white)
- Discussion Questions (in color and B&W
Extension templates
- Process Flow Map
- Math Task Card templates (with 12 leveled examples and editable version included)
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This is one of five Thanksgiving STEM Actvitities. They can be purchased in a bundle at a 40% discount:
Thanksgiving STEM Design Challenge: 5-in-1 Bundle
This resource is also available in the STEM CHALLENGE YEAR-ROUND MEGA-BUNDLE at an even greater discount!
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Sample/suggested materials for each student or group:
(Materials you’ll need to do the activity are easily modified.)
- Popcorn kernels (30 - 50)
- Paperclips or Swedish Fish candies (to symbolize fertilizer)
- Farmland
- plastic or foil container filled with flour, sand, or soil – or perform the challenge outdoors and have students stake off their farms
- Water (to test irrigation)
- Straws (5 – 10)
- Pipe cleaners (5 – 10)
- Popsicle/craft sticks (5 – 10)
- Foil sheet
- Plastic spoons, knives, and/or forks (2 – 4)
- Tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
Optional:
-- Q-tips, toothpicks, clothespins
-- String
-- Binder clips
-- Rubber bands, cable ties
-- Small paper cups
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What do teachers have to say about this resource?
“WOW! This is one of my favorite TpT purchases to date! This STEM bundle is engaging and fun. My students loved the activities and it was a way to incorporate some fun into learning about Thanksgiving. The bundle was complete with everything you'd need (except building materials) the questions and instructions were well thought out and perfect!”
“Fantastic resource! Thank you!”
“excellent product!”
"This was an amazing activity. The students learned a lot."
"Yay! This fits my current study of natural resources. I am sure my students will love this challenge."
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You might also like these resources:
STEM Challenges & Bundles (grades 2 – 8):
STEM CHALLENGE YEAR-ROUND MEGA-BUNDLE
Thanksgiving STEM Challenge 5-in-1 Bundle
Christmas/Winter STEM Design Challenge: 5-in-1 Bundle
Halloween STEM Challenge 5-in-1 Bundle
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Please check out the video preview to see the challenge, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions!
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