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STEM Challenge Bucket Tower Problem-Solving Learning Activity Upper Elementary

Rated 4.88 out of 5, based on 1271 reviews
4.9 (1.3k ratings)
;
Grade Levels
3rd - 5th
Standards
Formats Included
  • Zip
Pages
19 pages
$3.50
$3.50
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What educators are saying

The students were engaged in this activity right from the start. The teamwork, negotiating and production of a tower was evident during this session. The children loved the activity.
My fifth graders really enjoyed this STEM challenge. The bucket towers were all unique, and each group was excited to see how many pennies their bucket could hold.
Also included in
  1. ➡️ SAVE 30% with this bundle of 60 STEM projects and an Engineering Design Process poster set!If you are ready for an entire year's worth of STEM Challenges, this set is a perfect choice. This collection of student-tested STEM Challenges for elementary students is jam-packed full of so many projects
    Price $148.00Original Price $213.25Save $65.25
  2. Are you ready for a STEM Challenge with super easy materials that all also really full of learning and fun? How about the main supply being straws? This bundle of three challenges is a money-saver and has some of our very favorite building tasks. Please note: This package contains three challenges.
    Price $8.50Original Price $10.50Save $2.00
  3. Easy Supplies means easy to gather and easy prep to get these challenges going. The best part is that these are highly engaging and challenging STEM activities! Your students will love these! NOTE: This bundle contains six challenges featuring Easy Supplies. These are available separately and as par
    Price $16.50Original Price $21.00Save $4.50
  4. Are you looking for STEM challenges specific to 4th grade? This is an amazing collection of student-tested STEM Activities. It includes 21 best-selling STEM Challenges and an Engineering Design Poster Set.Note: Each of the challenges is available individually and in other money-saving bundles.What i
    Price $58.00Original Price $76.75Save $18.75
  5. It is so exciting to offer you a chance to grab a STEM bundle of these fun tower challenges. All three of these towers use unusual materials or have interesting constraints for the task. The best news is- students adore these projects! You will, too!NOTE: All three of these challenges are available
    Price $8.50Original Price $10.50Save $2.00

Description

This unique and original STEM Activity features a bucket with the challenge to build a tower that will hold weight. It's an engaging student favorite and you will love the ready-made lab sheets and low prep. Students must also explain why their towers need a bucket. Imaginative answers are one of the high points of this challenge- along with seeing those creative bucket towers!

➡️ Click here to save 20% on this STEM resource in a bundle of 3 projects.

➡️ Click here for the Easy Supplies 6-Pack bundle that includes Bucket Towers!

What is the challenge?

  • Students will find a way to use the straws to hold the bucket aloft and then test it with weight.
  • As it gets heavier and heavier they will make on-the-spot adjustments as they see weak points of the tower buckle or collapse.
  • You can opt to add a requirement that their design must include a functional reason for a tower having a bucket.

What is your prep?

You will need supplies in addition to this package. This includes straws, string, masking tape, hole punchers, small cups, and scissors. You will need to set up bins with materials for each group and copy the lab sheets for each student.

The package specifically includes:

  • Cover
  • Teacher background
  • Materials and preparation page
  • 6 pages of teacher directions
  • 2 versions of the constraints list
  • 3 pages of photographs
  • 2 versions of the lab sheet
  • Terms of Use page
  • Sample student answer sheets are not included, but samples of student work are included in the teacher direction pages.
  • In addition, the challenge includes a scoring rubric and an editable file. The pages that can be edited are the constraints posters, the lab sheets, and the rubric.
  • The page count listed for this package includes everything.

This proved to be a challenging task, but the kids loved it! They very cleverly found ways to make the materials work!

What are teachers saying?

  • "This is probably one of my favorite STEM lessons. My students loved the competitive nature of the lesson and loved the possibilities. This is a perfect lesson for students to understand the engineering and design process."
  • "I use this as an intro activity with my science enrichment class. The kids love it and it's a great way for them to get to know each other and work together to solve this problem. It is very well put together. I will continue to use this resource in the future!
  • "...this exactly what I want in a TPT resource! Clear and detailed instructions, REAL student samples, possible trouble areas and how to deal with them, editable files to allow some flexibility from class to class, and attractive handouts without unnecessary and twee graphics."


This challenge works perfectly with two others that use straws as the main material:

Or purchase all three challenges in money-saving bundles:

You might also like this bundle that uses straws!

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You might also like these STEM Challenges:

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Total Pages
19 pages
Answer Key
N/A
Teaching Duration
N/A
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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
NGSS3-5-ETS1-3
Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
NGSS3-5-ETS1-1
Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
NGSS3-5-ETS1-2
Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

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