November STEM Challenges
- Angelina Moehlmann
- Nov 6, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 7
These November STEM challenges will make learning hands-on and fun. Here are five books to introduce creative robotics and engineering activities, ideal for elementary classrooms.
Have questions about STEM education or makerspaces? Check out our FAQ section!
Virtual Spring STEM Certificate – Now Open for Registration!
Looking to bring more creativity and excitement into your STEM lessons? The Virtual Spring STEM Certificate Program is designed to help educators enhance their teaching strategies, build new skills, and explore innovative ways to engage students in hands-on learning.
What You’ll Explore:
Throughout the program, you’ll dive into practical, classroom-ready topics that blend creativity with technology:
Makerspace Integration – Learn how to design hands-on activities that foster creativity and problem-solving.
Novel Engineering – Discover how to merge literature and engineering for meaningful, cross-curricular projects.
Robotics – Explore ways to introduce robotics concepts that captivate and challenge your students.
Coding – Gain strategies for teaching coding in engaging, age-appropriate ways.
Program Details:
Schedule: Tuesdays, January 13 – April 28
Time: 6:00–8:30 PM (CST)
Format: Virtual via Zoom
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
Inspired by the story of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade creator, Tony Sarg, students can design their own parade floats!
Activity Overview: Challenge your students to build small-scale floats with materials like cardboard, balloons, and markers. For an added twist, incorporate a Sphero Mini to act as a "parade controller," moving the floats in a creative line-up.
Skills Learned: This activity helps students apply engineering and design thinking skills as they plan, build, and test their floats.
The Great Turkey Race by Steve Metzger
In this Thanksgiving tale, turkeys compete in a series of races, which is perfect for a classroom STEM challenge!
Activity Overview: Students can create an obstacle course with simple materials. Use a Sphero Mini or another small robot, and have students navigate through the course, teaching them about sequencing and problem-solving as they "race" their turkeys to the finish line.
Skills Learned: This helps students practice critical thinking and collaboration as they design and navigate their obstacle courses.
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll
This classic story of two mice growing the biggest pumpkin ever is a great springboard for a STEM gardening challenge.
Activity Overview: Have students design their own "pumpkin patch" by building models of pumpkins using items like paper, clay, or fabric. Then, introduce a coding activity where students program a robot to “plant” seeds and “water” the pumpkins by navigating a path.
Skills Learned: This activity helps students build basic coding skills while learning about the science behind how plants grow.
Turkey Trot Plot by Lee Harper
In this book, a group of determined turkeys dash toward the finish line in a fun-filled race that sparks excitement and teamwork.
Activity Overview: Have students create a maze using blocks or cardboard and program a Sphero Mini or another robot to follow a “turkey’s path” through the maze.
Skills Learned: This activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and basic programming as students design and test their turkey’s route.
How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
In this humorous story, a clever turkey escapes just before the school play, leading to a hilarious chase through the halls.
Activity Overview: Have students work in teams to design a turkey-catching contraption using recycled materials. They can test their designs by setting up a small robot to “escape” through different parts of the contraption.
Skills Learned: This activity builds engineering skills and encourages teamwork and creative thinking.
Each of these books provides a unique story that can spark curiosity and exploration in STEM, whether through coding with a Sphero Mini or hands-on engineering challenges. By pairing these read-alouds with robotics activities, students get a memorable and engaging experience that brings literature to life in innovative ways.
FAQS
What does STEM stand for, and how is it different from STEAM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. While STEAM adds Art to highlight and help encourage creativity and design thinking.
How does STEM prepare students for future careers?
STEM education helps students build critical thinking, problem-solving, and technology skills that are in high demand across modern industries. It prepares learners for careers in engineering, healthcare, computing, and emerging fields like robotics!
What is a makerspace?
A makerspace is a creative, hands-on learning environment where people can explore, build, and invent using tools like 3D printers, electronics, and craft materials. It’s designed to encourage collaboration and experimentation through STEM and STEAM projects.
How do I find a local makerspace near me?
You can find local makerspaces by searching online for community labs, library makerspaces, or innovation centers in your area. Websites like Makerspace.com, local universities, and public libraries often list open makerspaces available to the public.
What materials do you need to start a makerspace?
A makerspace can start with simple supplies like scissors, glue, cardboard, and basic tools, then expand to include 3D printers, soldering kits, and coding stations. The key is offering materials that inspire creativity and hands-on problem-solving.
How can parents encourage STEM learning at home?
Parents can support STEM learning by encouraging curiosity through hands-on experiments, building kits, and educational apps. Simple activities like cooking, gardening, or tinkering with household items can spark curiosity and scientific thinking.
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