Are you looking for a way to incorporate stem challenges into your classroom?

We started our path into stem challenges with a bridge design. My background in physics is not as strong as biology and chemistry so I turned to every teacher’s favorite resource, google. I found the bridge activities online incomplete.

If you haven’t started stem challenges yet, you can read some tips on using engineering design process to develop your own.

You might not be ready to tackle creating your own right off the bat (to be honest it is a time-intensive process). I have a free straw bridge stem challenge ready for you to download and print. This strongest bridge design challenge includes background information, a 5E lesson outline, a list of middle school standards, and student information sheets.

Bridge design: The 5 types of basic bridges that you’re going to see in the activity.

suspension
beam
arch
truss
drawbridge

The bridge design cheat sheet is for the kids to use during the activity as a reference. A completed teacher key, a partially completed table, and a fill in the blank option are available. Adapt it to meet your needs.

I suggest working through the online challenge next. This is a fun way to really put that new knowledge of bridges into action.

By going through this activity, they will be able to determine the pros and cons of each bridge design and set of circumstances. The next step will be to actually move into creating a straw bridge design.

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Strongest bridge design : a competition.

Start your bridge design challenge. The kids can pick one type of bridge and build it with straws, paperclips, and a little masking tape. I like to use index cards as a base for the 100 pennies.

The object is to see who can build a bridge to hold 100 pennies. If you have more than two of you OR you just like competition you can start with 100 pennies as the base and then keep adding pennies and see who’s bridge could hold the most or which bridge holds the weight for the longest amount of time.

This is a great way to incorporate the engineer design process into your lesson. This is especially engaging for that kid that is a Lego enthusiast, a paper airplane enthusiast, or a Minecrafter.

Supply List for Bridge Design:

Downloads: Bridge Design Challenge Instructions
Building Materials (purchase separately):
- Masking Tape-any type will do (here are some cute options: plain or patterned)
- Regular Paper Clips
- Bendable Straws (You might try paper straws, but I’m not sure how they would work and they are pricey)
- Index Cards
- 100 Pennies

Stem challenges are a great way for kids to get hands-on experience with some of the concepts you have taught OR a great way to fill those days right before breaks or the end of the school year.

Christmas Science Experiments: Looking for gift ideas?

This is part of the 5 Days of Christmas Science Experiments series. This project isn’t a Christmas project in the regu

lar sense. I included it because you can actually download printables and a supply list to create gift kits for the future engineers in your life. It is an affordable option for large groups or those with a limited budget. There is also a lesson plan option available.

I hope that this helps make your holiday a little brighter!

When my husband and I were early in our marriage we were broke, but Christmas was still coming. I couldn’t think of anything that was affordable and fun. It was a hard year and we probably went into credit card debt that year to buy some cheap gifts.

Don’t be like us! You can create affordable and awesome gifts for little investment and a lot of fun.

This DIY bridge design stem challenge kit is one of those options. You could make several of these for a $10 investment. Really a couple of dollars in supplies and gift wrapping.

This could be used as a gift or just a fun activity to be able to do with the kids. This would definitely put you in the Aunt or Uncle hall of fame.

This was included in my list of STEM inspired gifts. Bonus, it goes together quickly. I have provided affiliate links for your convenience, you can read my full disclosure here.

What’s the DIY Bridge Building Stem Challenge Kit?

The kit download is almost instant gratification. It includes the instructions for you, instructions that go into the kit, and terms of service/credits page. If the kids need more ideas, there are links and an optional Facebook group.