Build a Shelter STEM Project | STEM Survival Camp
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Description
You are sent off into the wild with limited supplies. You have to stay quite a few days, but need a safe place to sleep. How can you build a shelter that will withstand different types of weather? By going through the Engineering Design Process, you’ll explore different weather patterns, shelter building tips, building a design and testing it under various conditions. Print-and-go and digital resources to guide creation and exploration while using the Engineering Design Process.
Click here to read how I taught this lesson to my class and HERE to listen to a podcast episode all about STEM Survival Camp.
This is one of 6 units I taught in my K-5 STEM classroom; properly named 'STEM Survival Camp'.
STEM challenges are a great way to encourage creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. With the tools that I created for you, it should save you time with prep and give you more time to provide an awesome experience for your kids.
Go through the Engineering Design Process
- STEM Challenge Card
- Task Designing Checklist to keep track of work
- Learn More About Weather Patterns Video Links with Reflection
- Examples of student created shelter designs
- Inspiration videos for gathering ideas for things you want to try or not try in shelter design
- Planning sheet to thoughtfully draw and label design
- Checklist for ways students can improve their work based on testing their shelter against the weather elements
- Peer Feedback graphic organizer to share design and also help make improvements
- Student Sheet to attach photo/video of shelter before and after testing
- Math connection where students can find the success rate of all the shelters in the class based on the different weather tests
- Connection sheet where students can explain the science behind their design as it relates to the NGSS standard
- End of activity reflection sheet
- Standards-based rubric that is specific to this project
Bonuses!
- Videos to see how the lesson is taught with accompanying videos and a private podcast to provide more in-depth support.
- Engineering Design Process anchor chart
- Vocabulary to teach about: types of weather, shelters, geometry in architecture (triangles, circles, arches and spirals)
The resources NOT included that you will need for this STEM challenge are:
- any materials students collect from outside
- string/twine
- masking tape
- plastic grocery bags
- brown paper bags
- straws
- glitter or dry rice
- box fan
- water, sponge, buckets & towels
Click HERE to see the full materials list, sorted by grade-level
(Clickable links to my Amazon Affiliate. No extra cost to you but I receive small commission in return)
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
3rd Grade: 3-5-ETS1-1, 2 & 3, 3-ESS3-1
4th Grade: 3-5-ETS1-1, 2 & 3, 4-ESS3-2
5th Grade: 3-5-ETS1-1, 2 & 3
Common Core State Standards:
3rd Grade: RI.3.5, W.3.6, W.3.8, SL.3.1, SL.3.1b, SL.3.1d
4th Grade: RI.4.7, W.4.6, W.4.8, SL.4.1, SL.4.1b
5th Grade: RI.5.7, W.5.6, W.5.7, SL.5.1, SL.5.1b
Mathematical Practices
MP1-Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them
ISTE Standards for Students
Innovative Designer
How you will receive this product:
Various digital file types to meet your sharing needs
- PDF (non-editable, various sizes)
- Google Slides link
- PowerPoint file
- Seesaw activity
All Seesaw files are pre-loaded into activities. Upon purchase, you'll get the share link to copy & edit and add to your Seesaw Activity library, then assign to students. I saved you A LOT of steps!
How to assign digital versions to students:
- Google Slides pair perfectly with Google Classroom. Once you click the button, it will automatically make a copy for each student
- PowerPoint works well with Microsoft OneDrive users. Share with students within Microsoft Teams
- Seesaw Activities can be assigned to students and automatically make a copy. You can also use the Google Slides version if you students log in with their Google account
When you purchase a product from my store, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to classrooms in need of technology to enhance their students’ learning experience.
Want to try out the other STEM Survival Camp Challenges? Click here to check them out!
Connect with me for more inspiration!
Naomi Meredith
Navigating STEM & tech in the K-5 classroom.
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Instagram: @naomimeredith_
Questions? Email me: contactnaomimeredith@gmail.com
