3 Creative Ways to Introduce STEAM Challenges

3 Min Read  •  STEAM

I believe that play is so important to learning.  I also just love to play games. I especially love STEAM Challenges. They not only include problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and creativity, but they are FUN! I had so many STEAM program education challenges that I wanted to try out in my classroom, I couldn’t decide which one to do first. So… I decided to pick a few classrooms warm-up activities and introduce them all at once! But, with an added playful splash of randomness. Here are 3 creative ways to introduce STEAM Challenges in your classroom!

Here are 3 Creative Ways to Introduce STEAM Challenges.

All techniques begin with these procedures

  • Divide students into “Teams”
  • There should be the same number of teams as STEAM Challenges being used. Ex. 4 STEAM Challenges, 4 Teams.
  • Materials for each challenge should be placed in a paper bag along with a card explaining the challenge prompt. Bags should be stapled closed so nobody peeks.
  • Each team should be given a number to determine their order. I do this with numbered wooden craft sticks. After the groups are made, they choose a stick to determine their order.

1. Yankee Challenge Swap: Like a Gift Exchange

  • Bags of materials and challenge prompts are placed in one location. Students cannot look inside them.
  • Team 1 picks a bag. Then Team 2, and so on until each team has a bag.
  • Teams open their bags and read their prompts out loud so that all teams can learn about the other challenge options.
  • Team 1 decides if they want to keep their challenge or steal a challenge from another team.
  • Team 2 then makes the same decision. Continue until each team either keeps or steals.
  • BEGIN!

Extensions:

  • Teams can participate in a second round of keeping or stealing
  • If you add more challenge bags than groups, teams can either keep, steal, or grab a “mystery bag.” If a team grabs a mystery bag, then they must keep it. This is the risk.

2. Scavenger Challenge Hunt

Teacher…

  • Numbers challenge bags of materials
  • Numbers challenge cards
  • Hides challenge cards around the room

Students…

  • Team 1, searches the room for a challenge prompt card. Then Team 2, and so on until each team finds a card.
  • Pick up the challenge bag with the same number on their prompt.
  • BEGIN!

3. Roll of the Dice or Game Spinner

Roll of the Dice: Must have 6 Challenges

Teacher…

  • Numbers the challenge bags 1-6
  • Provides the die

Students…

  • Team 1 rolls the die and that number is the challenge bag that they get. Continue to Team 2, and so on. If students roll a number that has already been taken, they roll again.
  • BEGIN!

Game Spinner:

Teacher…

  • Numbers the challenge bags
  • Makes a homemade spinner with the number of challenges. Ex. 4 spaces for 4 challenges, 6 spaces for 6 challenges.

OR

  • Use an existing game spinner and have the same number of challenges ready

Students…

  • Team 1 spins and that number in the challenge bag they get. Continue to Team 2, and so on. If students spin a number that has already been taken, they spin again.
  • BEGIN!

More Helpful Links

What STEAM Challenges have you used in your classroom?