"Innovation Distinguishes Between a Leader and a Follower." – Steve Jobs.
Imagine Santa, the beloved leader of Christmas cheer, stuck in a chimney! As young innovators and problem solvers, your mission is clear: combine the magic of engineering with your creative spark to save Santa. In this hands-on STEM challenge, students will design and build a sturdy chimney using KEVA Planks while exploring concepts of balance, stability, and magnetism.
This activity incorporates the most crucial STEM learning principles, creating an engaging environment for critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or STEM enthusiast, this lesson is your chance to inspire the next generation of engineers with an unforgettable holiday twist.
STEM Challenge: Build a Chimney to Save Santa with Free PDFs and Task Cards
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| STEM Challenge: Build a Chimney to Save Santa with Free PDFs and Task Cards |
Objective
Students will:
- Build a sturdy and tallest chimney using KEVA Planks.
- Lower an elf (with magnets) to rescue Santa without toppling the structure.
- Develop teamwork and critical thinking skills through an iterative design process.
Materials Needed
- KEVA Planks
- String and magnets
- Mini Santa image (download from the bottom)
- Mini Elf image (download from the bottom)
- Tape
- Rulers or measuring tape
- Stem challenge sheets and task card ( download from the bottom)
- Clipboards and pencils (for design and reflection worksheets download from the bottom)
Lesson Plan
1. Warm-Up (10 minutes)
- Share the scenario: Santa is stuck in a chimney during gift deliveries!
- Discuss the importance of strong structures in real life (e.g., skyscrapers, bridges).
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Introduce key concepts:
- Engineering: Strength and balance in structures.
- Science: Magnetism for the rescue.
- Math: Measuring and comparing chimney heights.
2. Challenge (40 minutes)
Step 1: Plan Your Design (10 minutes)
- Sketch your chimney design using the provided worksheet.
- Decide how many layers or planks will provide balance and strength.
Step 2: Build Your Chimney (20 minutes)
- Use KEVA Planks to create the tallest chimney possible.
- Ensure the chimney is wide enough to accommodate Santa and sturdy enough to survive the rescue.
Step 3: Rescue Santa (10 minutes)
- Use the magnet attached to a string to lower an "elf" into the chimney.
- Carefully guide the elf to retrieve Santa without toppling the structure.
3. Reflection & Iteration (10 minutes)
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Discuss:
- What made the chimney sturdy?
- How did magnetism work in your rescue?
- How could you improve the design?
- Rebuild and test with suggested improvements.
STEAM Connections
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Incorporating STEM Excellence into the Challenge
This activity can be enhanced with inspiration from studies like the 2010 IBM Global CEO survey, which emphasized creativity as the most critical leadership trait for success. By allowing students to freely design and test their ideas, the challenge teaches that there are multiple ways to achieve a goal, fostering intellectual flexibility.
Additionally, programs like those offered by the American College of Education—focused on STEM education and teacher training—can help educators create engaging and innovative lesson plans. For example:
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- STEAM Education: The focus on both STEM and creative arts inspires well-rounded problem solvers.
- Masters in STEM Education: Programs like this emphasize why STEM is critical in building future leaders and innovators.
Connecting to Real-World Leadership:
This challenge simulates the kind of creative problem-solving leaders like Elon Musk or architects of the Google Workspace engage in when developing solutions that redefine how we live or work. For students, creating and rescuing "Santa" is not just a fun holiday-themed activity but also a foundational lesson in innovation and leadership.
Why STEM Education is Crucial for Kids of All Ages
STEM Education for Preschoolers
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Preschool STEM activities introduce early problem-solving.
Through hands-on exploration, preschoolers engage in tasks like sorting objects by size, color, or shape. These activities promote critical thinking and teach that there are multiple ways to complete a task, setting the foundation for lifelong learning. -
It strengthens fine motor skills.
STEM activities, such as building with blocks or using tweezers to move small items, develop the coordination needed for future milestones like writing and buttoning. -
It builds curiosity through simple experiments.
Preschool STEM activities like testing which items float or sink encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, and explore the world scientifically.
STEM Activities for Elementary Students
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STEM activities encourage creativity and resilience.
Challenges like building a paper bridge or coding simple programs push kids to think creatively and problem-solve when their first attempt doesn’t work. Resilience grows as they realize it’s okay to make mistakes and try again. -
They incorporate essential skills like reading and math.
STEM activities for elementary students often involve counting steps, following instructions, and measuring materials, which naturally integrate reading and math into fun, hands-on projects. -
Holiday-themed STEM keeps learning festive.
Activities like Christmas STEM challenges—such as designing a stable sleigh or building a candy cane tower—combine fun and learning while fostering teamwork and critical thinking during the holiday season.
For Teens: STEM, STEAM, and Future Careers
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STEM supports career readiness.
Fields like cybersecurity, software development, and medical billing and coding classes are directly tied to STEM education. For example, learning about active directories, Google Workspace, or even basic coding in high school lays the groundwork for in-demand STEM careers. -
STEAM education adds creativity to STEM.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) encourages teens to think outside the box. By combining technical skills with artistic creativity, students can design innovative projects that prepare them for leadership roles. -
It nurtures leadership and innovation.
Studies like the 2010 IBM Global CEO survey found that 60% of CEOs believe creativity is the most important leadership quality. STEM and STEAM education foster this creativity, helping teens become agile thinkers in today’s ever-changing world.
Why Pursue Higher Education in STEM?
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American College of Education and other programs support STEM excellence.
Institutions like the American College of Education offer specialized programs, such as masters in STEM education, to help educators inspire the next generation of learners. -
The benefits of STEM education go beyond the classroom.
STEM education builds critical thinking, adaptability, and teamwork—skills that are vital for navigating challenges in a rapidly evolving world. Whether you’re pursuing medical billing and coding online programs or exploring cybersecurity as a STEM degree, STEM’s impact is far-reaching. -
It prepares students for future challenges.
From learning about Google Chrome download tools to navigating platforms like Google Workspace, STEM equips learners with digital literacy skills that are essential for academic and professional success.
Download from here; STEM Challenge: Build a Chimney to Save Santa with Free PDFs and Task Cards
.png "STEM Challenge: Build a Chimney to Save Santa with Free PDFs and Task Cards")
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| download from here |
Download from Here
A Final Thought
STEM activities teach that there are always multiple ways to approach a task. This flexibility fosters creativity, intellectual agility, and the confidence to tackle challenges head-on. Whether you’re guiding preschoolers through simple experiments, planning elementary Christmas STEM activities, or helping teens explore advanced fields like cybersecurity, STEM builds skills for life.
By embracing STEM, we prepare kids for a future full of possibilities—where innovation, resilience, and creativity are key.
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