Looking for a high-engagement winter STEM challenge that blends math, engineering, geometry, and SEL in a paperless format?

The Winter Waiter STEM Challenge asks students to design and build a tray that can safely transport “snowy” 3D solids through an indoor relay course. Working in teams, students apply geometry concepts, problem-solving strategies, and collaboration skills while refining their designs through testing and redesign.

This challenge works well for after winter break STEM activities, winter math lessons, and geometry units that need hands-on application, movement and fun to drive home skills.

❄️ Challenge Overview

Working in small groups and following a clear criteria and constraints list, students will:

• Design and build a waiter-style tray
• Transport multiple 3D solids without dropping or tipping
• Test designs during an indoor relay challenge
• Analyze results and redesign to improve performance

The challenge naturally builds SEL skills like communication, teamwork, and perseverance while keeping students actively engaged.

📐 Math and Geometry Focus

This challenge is intentionally designed to scale across grade levels.

For younger students:

• Identify and name 3D solids
• Count faces, edges, and vertices
• Compare size, shape, and stability

For older students:

• Classify 3D solids by attributes
• Calculate surface area and volume
• Analyze how shape affects balance and design efficiency
• Apply data from testing to justify design decisions

Editable criteria and constraints allow you to increase or decrease complexity as needed.

🧠 What’s Included

✅ NGSS-Aligned Winter STEM Challenge (Grades 2–8)

✅ Teacher Support

• Links to STEM Challenge how-to videos
• Materials and timing guidance
• 20 printable 3D solid nets
• Editable criteria and constraints with differentiation options
• Measuring and scoring results
• Post-design extension activity ideas
• Video walk-through of the challenge

✅ Editable Student Google Slides

• Criteria and constraints list
• Design analysis slides
• Discussion and reflection questions
• Two editable scorecard options

✅ Editable Extension Slides

• Writing and reflection activities
• Process flow map
• Create and solve math problems based on designs
• Linked videos and websites for enrichment

🧰 Suggested Materials

Materials are flexible and easily adapted to what you have available.

Common options include:

• 3D solids or printed nets with glue (20 nets included)
• Narrow cardboard strips from cereal or tissue boxes
• Coffee filters
• Craft sticks, straws, and pipe cleaners
• Index cards, paperclips, or brads
• Tape and scissors

Optional materials:

• Rubber bands
• Hole punch
• Balls to represent spheres
• Bags for storing shapes between sessions

➡️ Format & Upgrade Options:

• Prefer printable? A printable version is available separately.
• Upgrade to the print & paperless bundle here.
• Grab the Late Winter STEM Challenge Activities 5-pack Bundle

❤️ Why Educators Love This Challenge

Educators love this winter STEM activity because:

• It blends geometry, engineering, and SEL naturally
• Students stay engaged through testing and redesign
• Differentiation makes it work across grades 2–8
• Geometry concepts feel meaningful and applied
• Paperless format saves prep time

This Winter Waiter STEM Challenge gives students meaningful practice with 3D geometry, winter math, and collaborative problem solving, all wrapped in an engaging design task.

Be sure to check out the preview, and feel free to reach out with any questions before you begin.

Note: This version is for use with Google Slides in 1:1/paperless classrooms. If you prefer to print and have students complete work with paper/pencil, you'll want to look at the PRINTABLE VERSION 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.

This is one of five challenges available in the Late Winter STEM Challenge bundle at a huge discount!