December STEM Challenges: Novel Engineering Activities for K‑8
- Angelina Moehlmann
- Dec 2, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 11
Here are some diverse and engaging versions of the story you can use, along with potential STEM-based challenges for each.
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Table of Contents
December STEM Challenges
The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth
A classic retelling about a quick-witted gingerbread boy who runs away from his makers and a string of pursuers.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a bridge or raft that will help the Gingerbread Man cross the river without relying on the fox. Test and iterate designs to see which structure safely carries a small “gingerbread” token across the water.
Encourage low-fidelity prototypes first (paper, straws) before moving to sturdier materials.
Run timed trials and hold design reflections after each test.
Materials Needed:
Craft sticks, straws, or cardboard
Glue, tape, and string
Small plastic tray or large shallow bin (to act as the river)
Weight tokens (coins, washers, or a small gingerbread cutout)
Scissors and markers
Optional: small motor (or Sphero) to simulate currents
Skills Learned:
Engineering design, basic physics (buoyancy, load distribution), problem solving
The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst
A clever sequel in which the Gingerbread Girl uses her wit and creativity to outsmart the tricky fox.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a trap or obstacle course that could catch—or outsmart—the fox. Encourage creative use of simple machines, motion, and cause-and-effect to make the trap work.
Test each design to see how effectively it “traps” a stand-in fox figure.
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, craft sticks, and string
Rubber bands or paper clips (for moving parts)
Tape, glue, and scissors
Small toy or paper fox cutout
Markers or decorations for design details
Skills Learned:
Understanding simple machines and motion
The Ninjabread Man by C.J. Leigh
A fun, action-packed retelling where the Gingerbread Man becomes a ninja, using his agility and training to outsmart his pursuers.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build an obstacle course or training dojo to test the Ninjabread Man’s ninja skills. Incorporate elements that require balance, speed, and creative thinking to complete the course.
Encourage students to plan their course layout on paper before building.
Test and modify designs to make them more challenging or efficient.
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, paper tubes, and craft sticks
String, tape, and glue
Small toy figure or paper cutout of the Ninjabread Man
Markers or paint for decorating the dojo
Optional: LEGO bricks or blocks for added structure
Skills Learned:
Spatial reasoning, creativity and design planning
The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray
A playful story where the Gingerbread Man races through the school halls, determined to find his class after being left behind.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a vehicle or contraption that helps the Gingerbread Man travel quickly through the school. Encourage students to explore movement, speed, and stability in their designs.
Have students test how far or fast their creations can go.
Allow time for redesigns to improve performance and creativity.
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, paper, and craft sticks
Bottle caps or toy wheels
Straws, rubber bands, and string
Tape, glue, and scissors
Small Gingerbread Man cutout or toy
Skills Learned:
Engineering and testing
The Runaway Tortilla by Eric A. Kimmel
A lively Southwestern spin on the classic tale, following a tortilla as it escapes down the road with hungry pursuers close behind.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a way to keep the tortilla warm and protected during its runaway adventure. Encourage them to explore insulation, materials science, and creative packaging design.
Test different materials to see which keeps the “tortilla” warm the longest.
Have students explain their design choices and insulation methods.
Materials Needed:
Aluminum foil, fabric, or felt
Cardboard or paper for structure
Tape, glue, and scissors
Thermometer (for testing warmth retention)
Timer and notebook for recording results
Optional: small tortilla or paper stand-in
Skills Learned:
Heat insulation and material testing
Engineering design and critical thinking
Data collection and analysis
The Gingerbread Cowboy by Janet Squires
A Western twist on the classic tale, following the Gingerbread Cowboy as he dashes across the desert, dodging cacti, rivers, and hungry coyotes.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and engineer a cowboy hat or pair of boots that help the Gingerbread Cowboy travel safely across the desert terrain. Encourage them to think about protection, balance, and creativity in their designs.
Test different materials to see which designs offer the best protection or stability.
Have students present their final creations and explain their design choices.
Materials Needed:
Cardstock, felt, or fabric scraps
Craft sticks, string, and tape
Glue, scissors, and markers
Small Gingerbread Cowboy cutout or toy
Optional: sand or rocks to simulate desert conditions
Skills Learned:
Creativity and artistic design
The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School by Laura Murray
A playful story where the Gingerbread Man teams up with his class to outsmart a mischievous leprechaun causing chaos around the school.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a trap that can catch the leprechaun—without harming the Gingerbread Man. Encourage them to use creativity, problem-solving, and gentle mechanisms to create a clever, kind trap.
Test the traps using a small “leprechaun” figure and make improvements based on results.
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, craft sticks, and paper
String, tape, and glue
Recycled containers or boxes
Markers, paint, and decorations
Small toy figures (leprechaun and Gingerbread Man)
Skills Learned:
Understanding simple machines and mechanisms
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
A beautifully illustrated story where a clever boy bakes a Gingerbread Baby who escapes into the snowy woods, leading to a heartwarming twist.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a house or safe hiding place for the Gingerbread Baby. Encourage them to think about structure, stability, and creativity as they construct a cozy and protective space.
Have students draw blueprints on paper before building.
Test the durability of each structure and discuss what makes it strong or inviting.
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, paper, or craft sticks
Glue, tape, and scissors
Cotton balls, fabric scraps, or other “cozy” materials
Markers, paint, and decorations
Small Gingerbread Baby cutout or toy
Skills Learned:
Engineering and architectural design
The Musubi Man: Hawaii’s Gingerbread Man by Sandi Takayama
A tropical retelling of the classic tale, where the Musubi Man dashes past native animals and lush island scenery in a fun Hawaiian adventure.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a surfboard or outrigger canoe to help the Musubi Man escape over the water. Encourage creative thinking about buoyancy, balance, and design inspired by Hawaiian culture.
Test how well each design floats and moves across water.
Have students reflect on how shape and materials affect performance.
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, foam sheets, or recycled plastic
Straws, craft sticks, and string
Tape, glue, and scissors
Shallow bin or tub of water for testing
Small Musubi Man cutout or toy
Skills Learned:
Design for buoyancy and balance, cultural appreciation and creative expression
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup
A daring holiday tale where a batch of gingerbread cookies springs to life as brave pirates on a nighttime adventure.
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to design and build a pirate ship or cannon for the Gingerbread Pirates. Encourage them to explore balance, propulsion, and creative design as they bring their pirate creations to life.
Have students plan their ship or cannon designs before constructing.
Test how well each project floats, rolls, or launches small “cannonballs.”
Materials Needed:
Cardboard, paper tubes, or recycled containers
Craft sticks, string, and rubber bands
Tape, glue, and scissors
Small gingerbread or pirate cutouts
Optional: marbles or pom-poms as cannonballs
Shallow bin of water (for ship testing)
Skills Learned:
Engineering design and testing
STEM Extensions
Build a Trap: Whether for a fox, coyote, or leprechaun, students can design and test traps.
Design a Bridge/Raft: Help the Gingerbread character cross rivers, deserts, or other obstacles.
Create a Path or Obstacle Course: Design a safe route or obstacle course for the Gingerbread Man to outwit pursuers.
Construct Protective Gear: Develop protective tools (e.g., helmets, boots) to help the Gingerbread character navigate dangerous environments.
If these Gingerbread Man STEM challenges sparked your creativity, you can keep the inspiration going through our Virtual STEM Certificate Program. It’s a great next step for educators ready to bring more hands-on innovation and excitement into their classrooms. Classes begin January 2025—learn more and enroll today!